Reconciliation with a former self is a process due the amount of time it needs. But at some point, we are compelled either to move on or be pulled backward.

I am grateful for the person I was, the lessons I learned, and the experiences I enjoyed. It wasn’t perfect, but I’m lucky to have lived it, and I’m lucky to have the chance to move on.

I am melancholy missing the way things used to be; I am reminded of my mortality.

I am anxious I might leave behind and betray better parts of myself.

I am scared saying goodbye will allow time and circumstance to erase meaningful memories.

I pause to reflect on and record some of those memories as faithfully as I can.

And I move on; there are many other important things I want and need to do.

Today there remains the same big obvious challenge of becoming a better person, and every minute spent avoiding it is a minute lost.