Molting

Molting…

I got to join my daughter’s fifth grade class on a field trip before summer break. We went out on a boat on the bay and learned about oceanography. The crew threw out a net and hauled in some sea life for the children to see.

Among other sea-life the kids learned about crustaceans and how they shed their outer layers and a new shell is already forming underneath. It is soft and tender for a bit so they take extra care, but with time it becomes strong.

And it got me thinking. How we humans do this too. Not as often as lobsters, maybe. But more and more as we get older.

For me, the 40s have been all about shedding and letting go. Some of the letting go has been freeing. I’ve been able to let go of caring what people think of me. Of people pleasing and perfectionism. This is still a work in progress, my toughest customers are my own kids! I do not like to let them down. But I know I need to become more comfortable with their discomfort.

I’ve let go of some friendships that were not right for me. This was painful at first, but also freeing in the long run. It allowed me to focus my time and energy on the relationships that were most important to me. And the relationships that truly sustained my soul. Hopefully they were able to feel the same way.

What have you outgrown? And what are you ready to let go of, to shed. It’s going to be tender at first, but feel so good I promise.