Letting Go Of The Old You (Even When It's Hard)

Do you ever feel like you’re holding onto an outdated version of yourself?

Maybe you’ve spent years being the caregiver, the wife, the mother, the employee, the one who held everything together… and now, as life shifts, you find yourself wondering:

“Who am I if I’m not that person anymore?”

Let’s be real—letting go of the old you is hard.

Even when we know we’ve outgrown certain roles, identities, and ways of thinking, there’s comfort in the familiar. Even if the familiar is keeping us stuck.

But here’s what I want you to hear today:

Who you were is not who you have to be.
It is okay to change, evolve, and embrace a new version of yourself.
You are allowed to let go of what no longer serves you.

And today, I’m going to help you do just that.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• Why we hold onto old identities (even when they no longer fit)
• How to begin releasing the past without guilt or fear
• A powerful guided visualization to help you step into the new you

Transcript

Hey there, and welcome back to Aspire and Achieve with Annie! I want to start today’s episode with a question: Do you ever feel like you’re holding onto an outdated version of yourself?

Maybe you’ve spent years being the caregiver, the wife, the mother, the employee, the one who held everything together… and now, as life shifts, you find yourself wondering:

“Who am I if I’m not that person anymore?”

Let’s be real—letting go of the old you is hard. Even when we know we’ve outgrown certain roles, identities, and ways of thinking, there’s comfort in the familiar. Even if the familiar is keeping us stuck.

But here’s what I want you to hear today:

Who you were is not who you have to be. It is okay to change, evolve, and embrace a new version of yourself. You are allowed to let go of what no longer serves you.

And today, I’m going to help you do just that.

In this episode, we’ll explore:

• Why we hold onto old identities (even when they no longer fit)
• How to begin releasing the past without guilt or fear
• A powerful guided visualization to help you step into the new you

And if today’s message resonates with you, I invite you to take the next step by booking a 1:1 Purpose Reboot Session with me—more on that later.

Alright, my friend—take a deep breath. Let’s dive in.

Why We Hold Onto the Old Version of Ourselves

Change is a natural part of life. So why does it feel so hard to let go of who we used to be?

Here are a few reasons:

• Fear of the Unknown

We cling to the familiar because—even if it’s no longer fulfilling—it feels safe. The unknown is scary. It’s easier to stay where we are, even if we feel stuck, than to step into something uncertain.

• Identity Crisis

For years, you’ve identified yourself as a mother, a wife, a dedicated employee, a caregiver, or a support system for others. When those roles shift, it can feel like you’ve lost yourself. If you’re not that person anymore… then who are you?

• Guilt and Obligation

We sometimes feel like we’re betraying the past version of ourselves by changing. Maybe you made promises to always be a certain way, or you feel like you owe it to people to remain the same. But the truth is—you don’t. You are allowed to grow.

• External Expectations

People expect us to stay the same. They say things like, “You’ve changed,” as if that’s a bad thing. But guess what? Growth is a GOOD thing. You are not meant to stay stagnant.

The problem is, when we resist change, we keep ourselves in a life that no longer fits. And that’s where frustration, sadness, and a lack of purpose come in.

So, what can we do about it?

How to Let Go Without Fear or Guilt

If you’ve been struggling to release the old version of yourself, here’s where to start:

1. Give Yourself Permission to Evolve
You don’t have to justify your growth to anyone. You don’t need permission from your past self or from others. You are allowed to change. Period.

Instead of saying, “I don’t know who I am anymore,” try saying:
“I am discovering new layers of myself.”

Instead of saying, “I miss the old me,” try saying:
“I am grateful for who I was, but I am excited about who I am becoming.”

Change your language, and you’ll change your mindset.

2. Reflect on What No Longer Serves You
Ask yourself:
What parts of my old identity no longer feel aligned with who I am today?
What am I holding onto out of fear rather than true desire?
What would I say to my younger self about embracing change?

Sometimes, we keep doing things just because we’ve always done them. But that doesn’t mean they still serve us. Give yourself permission to release what no longer fits.

3. Step Into the New You With Intention
Instead of focusing on what you’re letting go of, focus on who you’re becoming.

What excites you now?
What kind of life do you want to create?
What values and passions do you want to embrace?

Your past self is not your final version. You get to write the next chapter.

And right now, we’re going to do just that.

Guided Visualization to Release the Old You

I want you to find a quiet place, take a deep breath, and close your eyes.

(Pause for 3 seconds.)

Imagine yourself standing in front of a mirror.

In this reflection, you see the version of yourself that you’ve been holding onto. Maybe she’s younger. Maybe she’s tied to an old identity, an old role, an old way of thinking.

She looks at you with kindness, not judgment. She knows you’ve carried her with love.

Now, I want you to silently thank her. She got you to where you are today. She helped you grow, love, learn, and survive.

But now, it’s time to let her rest.

As you breathe in, imagine yourself absorbing all the wisdom, strength, and love that she has given you.

And as you exhale, see her fading gently into the background, not disappearing—just stepping aside to make room for the new you.

Now, visualize your future self standing in front of you. She is strong. She is vibrant. She is ready.

She looks at you and says:
"It’s time. Let’s move forward together."

Take another deep breath. And when you’re ready, open your eyes.

(Pause for a few seconds.) Welcome back.

Your Next Step

You have taken a powerful first step today. You’ve acknowledged your growth and started the process of embracing your next chapter.

But this is just the beginning.

If today’s episode resonated with you, and you’re ready to go even deeper, I invite you to book a 1:1 Purpose Reboot Session with me.

This session is designed to help you:

• Get clarity on who you are becoming
• Release any lingering fears or doubts
• Create a personal roadmap for your next chapter

You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s walk this journey together.

Book your session now by clicking the link in the show notes 

Before we wrap up, I want you to hear this:

You are not lost—you are transforming.
You are not too old to change—you are just getting started.
You do not have to stay where you’ve been—you are allowed to move forward.

Letting go is never easy. But staying stuck is harder.

So today, I challenge you: Step into the new you. She is waiting for you.

I’ll see you next week. Until then, keep believing in yourself.

Thank you for tuning in to Aspire and Achieve with Annie! If this episode spoke to you, take a screenshot, share it on Instagram, and tag me @annielewellyn.

And if you haven’t already, please take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more women like you find this message.

I’ll see you next time! Keep growing. Keep evolving. Keep becoming. 💛