As we continue our focus on decluttering our lives, let’s dive into what we have outgrown. Growth and change are a natural part of life. Plants grow, change over time and so do we. As we evolve, our interests, values, and priorities shift. What is important in our 20’s is likely different in our 30’s, and then 40’s. As we mature life changes and we change with it.
Sometimes we hold onto things—relationships, habits, beliefs—that no longer align with who we are. The old things may keep us stuck and prevent us from growing into change. Recognizing what we've outgrown is the first step toward creating space for new experiences, opportunities, and personal fulfillment.
So, what have you outgrown? And what are next steps you can take?
1. Outgrowing Friendships That No Longer Align
Friendships can be tricky. Very few friends will be our lifelong friends. There are friends we’re close with for a season and they are there during the season of life we are in. Not all friendships are meant to last forever. As we grow, we may realize that some relationships feel forced, one-sided, or no longer serve us. It’s OK to let the friendship go. In fact it’s healthy to move past friendships that have waned and feel stagnant.
Next Steps:
💙 Acknowledge the shift – It's natural for friendships to change over time. Appreciate the role they played in your life.
🤝 Communicate with honesty – If the friendship is important but feels off, an open conversation can help. Set boundaries that feel right for you.
🌱 Let go with gratitude – If the connection no longer aligns, release it with love and make room for relationships that uplift and support you. Determine what closure looks like for you.
💙 Process the loss - take time to process your feelings with out judgement.
2. Outgrowing Old Habits and Routines
Habits shape our daily lives, but some routines can hold us back from growth. Maybe it's procrastination, overcommitting, unhealthy coping mechanisms, or just staying too comfortable in your routine. Your hobbies may change over your lifetime as well.
Next Steps:
🔄 Assess your habits, routines and hobbies – Which ones bring value to your life? Which ones are fun for you? Which ones keep you stagnant? What do you no longer enjoy?
✨ Replace with what brings you joy – If you’re overcommitted then replace with time for rest. You may wish to replace with something that aligns with your goals and values.
📅 Start small and stay consistent – See what happens when you change a habit, routine or hobby. Change doesn’t happen overnight. Focus on weekly progress, not perfection.
3. Outgrowing Limiting Beliefs
We all have beliefs about ourselves that shape our actions—some empower us, while others keep us stuck. What once worked may no longer work. Maybe you've outgrown the belief that you're "not good enough or that success is out of reach."
Next Steps:
📝 Identify limiting beliefs – What thoughts are holding you back? Write them down and challenge them. Consider beliefs you’ve held strongly.
Ask yourself - How is this serving me?
💭 Reframe your mindset – Replace negative beliefs with affirmations that empower you. Instead of "I can't do this," say, "I'm learning and improving every day.” Find an alternate belief to replace it with.
🚀 Put it into action – Write down your new belief. Practice it. Confidence comes from experience. Prove to yourself that your new belief is possible by taking small, bold steps forward.
4. Outgrowing Your Career or Job
Have you outgrown your career or job? If your work no longer excites or fulfills you, it may be time to explore new paths. This could mean trying something new at your current job or pivoting to a new career or job.
Next Steps:
💡 Reflect on what you want – What excites you? What do you love about your work? What skills do you want to develop?
✨ Review Strengths - What are your strengths? What do you like to do? What is your superpower?
📚 Invest in learning – Take a course, attend workshops or conferences, and seek mentorship in areas that interest you.
🚀 Explore new opportunities – Network in areas that you’re interested in. Update your resume and LinkedIn and be open to new possibilities. Growth often requires stepping outside your comfort zone.
5. Outgrowing Your Environment & Social Circles
Sometimes, the places we live or the social circles we’re in no longer feel right. Whether it's your hometown, social scene, or even online spaces, outgrowing an environment is a sign of personal evolution. It’s normal and part of life.
Next Steps:
🌍 Assess your surroundings – Do they inspire or drain you? Think of where you live and your work space? Think of the community you live in?
🌱 Assess your social network - Does it fulfill you? Are these the types of people or groups you want to be in? Are you giving back to the group? Is the group giving back to you?
🏡 Make gradual changes – If your physical space isn’t working what could you change to make it align with who you are now? If relocating isn’t immediate, start by seeking new experiences, hobbies, or communities that align with who you're becoming.
💫 Trust your intuition – If something feels like it's holding you back, it might be time to for a change. Our gut never lies.
Embracing Growth and Moving Forward
Outgrowing something is normal and part of life. It doesn’t mean something is wrong or you’ve failed, it means that things have changed for you and you’ve evolved. Life isn’t about staying the same; it’s about change and becoming the best version of yourself. Think of a tree — it evolves and changes every day. We can to, if we embrace change. Letting go of what no longer serves you can be freeing and liberating.
Take a moment to reflect:
➡ What have you outgrown in your life?
➡ What changes can you make to align with your growth?
Growth and change can be uncomfortable, but staying stagnant and stuck are even more painful. Trust your journey, embrace change, and move forward with confidence.
If you or someone you know would like support in change, reaching your goals, career development, professional development, or have been knocked down by life reach out and contact me. I provide a safe, non-judgmental place for clients to live boldly and succeed. I am a change agent for others!
I have space for two clients in May. Let’s have a conversation to see how I can be of support.
Marvelous March Client Wins: “This was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!”. “Wow in 30 minutes I have a tool I can use to help me with planning.” “I have more awareness and feeling more grounded after our session. It showed up at work and in my personal life,," “Perfect, these are tools and strategies I can use at work.Thank you.” Follow me on social media for insightful questions, tips, and motivational quotes.
Peace, and blessings,
Teresa – Mindfully decluttering
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, PCC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down by life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of:
· Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
· The First Days: Coping with Life after Loss (updated 2nd edition)
· Explorations into the Being and Doing of Coaching: A collection of voices, insights, and wisdom from Austin area coaches
· My Journey as a Widow: A Widow’s First Journal
Sometimes we hold onto things—relationships, habits, beliefs—that no longer align with who we are. The old things may keep us stuck and prevent us from growing into change. Recognizing what we've outgrown is the first step toward creating space for new experiences, opportunities, and personal fulfillment.
So, what have you outgrown? And what are next steps you can take?
1. Outgrowing Friendships That No Longer Align
Friendships can be tricky. Very few friends will be our lifelong friends. There are friends we’re close with for a season and they are there during the season of life we are in. Not all friendships are meant to last forever. As we grow, we may realize that some relationships feel forced, one-sided, or no longer serve us. It’s OK to let the friendship go. In fact it’s healthy to move past friendships that have waned and feel stagnant.
Next Steps:
💙 Acknowledge the shift – It's natural for friendships to change over time. Appreciate the role they played in your life.
🤝 Communicate with honesty – If the friendship is important but feels off, an open conversation can help. Set boundaries that feel right for you.
🌱 Let go with gratitude – If the connection no longer aligns, release it with love and make room for relationships that uplift and support you. Determine what closure looks like for you.
💙 Process the loss - take time to process your feelings with out judgement.
2. Outgrowing Old Habits and Routines
Habits shape our daily lives, but some routines can hold us back from growth. Maybe it's procrastination, overcommitting, unhealthy coping mechanisms, or just staying too comfortable in your routine. Your hobbies may change over your lifetime as well.
Next Steps:
🔄 Assess your habits, routines and hobbies – Which ones bring value to your life? Which ones are fun for you? Which ones keep you stagnant? What do you no longer enjoy?
✨ Replace with what brings you joy – If you’re overcommitted then replace with time for rest. You may wish to replace with something that aligns with your goals and values.
📅 Start small and stay consistent – See what happens when you change a habit, routine or hobby. Change doesn’t happen overnight. Focus on weekly progress, not perfection.
3. Outgrowing Limiting Beliefs
We all have beliefs about ourselves that shape our actions—some empower us, while others keep us stuck. What once worked may no longer work. Maybe you've outgrown the belief that you're "not good enough or that success is out of reach."
Next Steps:
📝 Identify limiting beliefs – What thoughts are holding you back? Write them down and challenge them. Consider beliefs you’ve held strongly.
Ask yourself - How is this serving me?
💭 Reframe your mindset – Replace negative beliefs with affirmations that empower you. Instead of "I can't do this," say, "I'm learning and improving every day.” Find an alternate belief to replace it with.
🚀 Put it into action – Write down your new belief. Practice it. Confidence comes from experience. Prove to yourself that your new belief is possible by taking small, bold steps forward.
4. Outgrowing Your Career or Job
Have you outgrown your career or job? If your work no longer excites or fulfills you, it may be time to explore new paths. This could mean trying something new at your current job or pivoting to a new career or job.
Next Steps:
💡 Reflect on what you want – What excites you? What do you love about your work? What skills do you want to develop?
✨ Review Strengths - What are your strengths? What do you like to do? What is your superpower?
📚 Invest in learning – Take a course, attend workshops or conferences, and seek mentorship in areas that interest you.
🚀 Explore new opportunities – Network in areas that you’re interested in. Update your resume and LinkedIn and be open to new possibilities. Growth often requires stepping outside your comfort zone.
5. Outgrowing Your Environment & Social Circles
Sometimes, the places we live or the social circles we’re in no longer feel right. Whether it's your hometown, social scene, or even online spaces, outgrowing an environment is a sign of personal evolution. It’s normal and part of life.
Next Steps:
🌍 Assess your surroundings – Do they inspire or drain you? Think of where you live and your work space? Think of the community you live in?
🌱 Assess your social network - Does it fulfill you? Are these the types of people or groups you want to be in? Are you giving back to the group? Is the group giving back to you?
🏡 Make gradual changes – If your physical space isn’t working what could you change to make it align with who you are now? If relocating isn’t immediate, start by seeking new experiences, hobbies, or communities that align with who you're becoming.
💫 Trust your intuition – If something feels like it's holding you back, it might be time to for a change. Our gut never lies.
Embracing Growth and Moving Forward
Outgrowing something is normal and part of life. It doesn’t mean something is wrong or you’ve failed, it means that things have changed for you and you’ve evolved. Life isn’t about staying the same; it’s about change and becoming the best version of yourself. Think of a tree — it evolves and changes every day. We can to, if we embrace change. Letting go of what no longer serves you can be freeing and liberating.
Take a moment to reflect:
➡ What have you outgrown in your life?
➡ What changes can you make to align with your growth?
Growth and change can be uncomfortable, but staying stagnant and stuck are even more painful. Trust your journey, embrace change, and move forward with confidence.
If you or someone you know would like support in change, reaching your goals, career development, professional development, or have been knocked down by life reach out and contact me. I provide a safe, non-judgmental place for clients to live boldly and succeed. I am a change agent for others!
I have space for two clients in May. Let’s have a conversation to see how I can be of support.
Marvelous March Client Wins: “This was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!”. “Wow in 30 minutes I have a tool I can use to help me with planning.” “I have more awareness and feeling more grounded after our session. It showed up at work and in my personal life,," “Perfect, these are tools and strategies I can use at work.Thank you.” Follow me on social media for insightful questions, tips, and motivational quotes.
Peace, and blessings,
Teresa – Mindfully decluttering
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, PCC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down by life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of:
· Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
· The First Days: Coping with Life after Loss (updated 2nd edition)
· Explorations into the Being and Doing of Coaching: A collection of voices, insights, and wisdom from Austin area coaches
· My Journey as a Widow: A Widow’s First Journal
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