Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe it's about unbecoming everything that isn't really you, so that you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.
The journey of self-discovery and personal growth is not a linear path to becoming something entirely new, as many people often believe. It’s not about trying to fit into molds society or others have created for you. Instead, it’s about peeling away the layers that society, past experiences, and expectations have placed upon you so that your authentic self can shine through.
This Paulo Coelho quote beautifully encapsulates the essence of personal transformation and self-realization. It reminds us that we are not blank slates waiting to be filled with external influences or prescribed roles. Instead, we are like sculptures, chipping away at the excess to reveal the masterpiece within.
In life, we accumulate many layers – some protective, some conforming, and some defensive. These layers often obscure our true essence, making us feel like we’ve lost touch with who we really are. However, the journey is about rediscovering that innate self, the person you were meant to be from the very beginning.
Unbecoming isn’t a process of erasing your history or denying your past; it’s about understanding and embracing it. Your past experiences, both positive and challenging, have shaped you. They’ve given you the strength, wisdom, and resilience you possess today. But they shouldn’t define you in a way that doesn’t align with your true self.
I think this quote is asking us to embark on this journey of unbecoming with courage and self-compassion. Ask yourself deep questions, reflect on your life’s narrative, and discern which parts of you are genuine and which are products of external pressures. Allow yourself to shed the layers that no longer serve you and embrace the qualities, passions, and dreams that resonate with your core being.
This is not a race, and there is no destination other than authenticity. As you unbecome everything that isn’t truly you, you’ll find an incredible sense of freedom, purpose, and alignment with your truest self. Your journey may be challenging at times, but it’s a path worth traveling because it leads to the most fulfilling destinationโbeing who you were meant to be all along.
