The Time It Cost to Finally Realize Who You Are
Recently I’ve noticed a shift around me. Friends, siblings, even people online are suddenly waking up to the fact that they haven’t really been living but just existing.
My friend Samuel told me he wants to start taking more pictures and showing up more. My sister Precious now says she wants to go out, dress up, and embrace her feminine side. I’ve seen the same thing on social media: people deciding to finally live.
And honestly, I get it. For so long, many of us played small, hid in the background, or lived only for survival. But now, it feels like time has passed, and at the same time, now is the best time.
When you start doing things you never used to dressing differently, posting online, or going out more people you know (and don’t know) may laugh. They may not believe your change is real. They’ve grown accustomed to the old version of you.
This can be tough because those closest to you the ones meant to cheer you on can sometimes be the ones who talk you down.when you’re finally ready to live, their opinions can’t be the deciding factor.
When I decided to start creating content, I didn’t make a big announcement. I just started. At first, it felt cringe (still feels cringe). Most of my friends scrolled past, some followed, others watched silently. But I wasn’t doing it for them was doing it for me.
Deep down, I craved a community of close friends who also wanted to step out of the shadows. Unfortunately, most people around me were still trapped in the cycle of busy existing. So, I had to create that circle myself.
And that’s why I cheer loudly for those who are starting something new whether it’s business, school, content, or simply showing up differently. I know how hard it is to take that first step.
The Audacity of Gen z
One thing I love about Gen Z is their audacity their boldness to do what they want because no one told them they couldn’t (or they were too stubborn to listen). They’re crafting their own paths, building influence, and creating communities.
Watching them is both inspiring and intimidating. On one hand, you admire their courage. On the other, you feel small, caught in the background, watching them live their lives while you’re still figuring yourself out.
I won’t lie I catch myself comparing. I look at people not even on the same path as me and still want their results. I feel cringe no matter how much I put myself out there. I tell myself I could be doing more but don’t know which “more” to chase.
But I remind myself: it takes time to figure it out, and the time we still have is enough.
The time it’s cost to finally realize who you are is not wasted, it was preparation. All the years of existing built the hunger to start living.
So don’t let the fear of looking new stop you from becoming true. Whether you’re Gen Z, millennial, or somewhere in between, you still have time.
The best time to start was yesterday. The next best time is today.
