How to Honour the Self You’re Leaving Behind: Embracing Change with Gratitude and Grace
- Weaving Grief
- Apr 22
- 6 min read
Life is a constant unfolding, a series of transitions that invite us to step into new versions of ourselves. We shed old skins, outgrow identities, and move forward, yet there is a quiet grief in leaving behind who we once were. Whether you’re navigating the end of a relationship, stepping into a new career, or simply feeling the natural evolution of self, it’s important to honour the person you’ve been so you can step forward fully into the person you are becoming. This isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about integrating all parts of yourself so that you can step forward fully, with gratitude, grace and reverence.
In this post, we explore meaningful ways to honour the self you’re leaving behind, ensuring that transformation is not just a letting go but also a carrying forward of wisdom, love, and acknowledgment—a weaving and an integration, embracing change with gratitude.
01. Acknowledge You Are In Transition
The first step in honoring the self you’re leaving behind is acknowledging that you are in a transition. So often, we rush forward, eager to embody a new identity or chapter, but true transformation happens when we take the time to recognize where we stand. Change happens in an instant, transition is the process in which we navigate to integrate and embody change. Name it. Speak it aloud. Write it down.
Invitations for Reflection. Ask yourself:
What part of myself am I saying goodbye to?
What circumstances or experiences shaped this version of me?
How do I feel about this shift?
By naming the transition, you give yourself permission to honour the journey rather than simply rushing past it.
02. Create a Ritual of Release
Rituals help mark significant moments in our lives, offering closure and reverence for the path that we've walked, the person we have been, and the moments that have shaped us along the way. In our Western world, we often over look the importance of ritual, ceremony, and rites of passage but these practices are a sacred way of marking change, honouring endings, supporting transition, and creating space for what is yet to come. You might consider:
Writing a letter to your past self, thanking them for what they have carried.
Burning or burying a symbolic object that represents the old you.
Taking a solitary walk in nature to reflect on your transformation.
Creating an altar with items that remind you of your journey.
A ritual can be as simple or elaborate as you need it to be. The key is intentionality—making space to say farewell and mark this transition with mindfulness and gratitude.
03. Journal the Lessons Learned
Every version of ourselves holds valuable lessons. Even if you are leaving behind a time of struggle, there is wisdom to carry forward. Take time to journal and reflect:
What did this version of me teach me about life?
What strengths have I developed through this chapter or season of my life?
How has my perspective changed?
What lessons do I want to carry forward wtih me, and what do I want to leave behind?
By reflecting on these lessons, you transform them into guiding principles for your next chapter. Reflection can be clarifying, purifying, and supportive of the fortification of who we are becoming.
04. Embrace Change with Gratitude
Rather than feeling shame or regret about the past, shift toward gratitude. Even if there are mistakes or painful moments, your past self navigated the best they could with the resources they had.
Try saying:
“Thank you for your resilience.”
“Thank you for protecting me when I needed it.”
“Thank you for getting me to this moment.”
Gratitude softens the transition, allowing you to release the past with love rather than resistance.
05. Allow Yourself to Grieve
Leaving behind a part of yourself is a loss. And with any loss, there is grief. Honour whatever emotions arise—whether it’s sadness, relief, nostalgia, or even fear.
Make space for this grief by:
Allowing yourself to cry or feel deeply.
Talking to a trusted friend or therapist about the shift.
Engaging in creative expression—painting, poetry, music—to move through the emotions.
Grief is not a sign that you should stay where you were; it’s a natural response to change. Let yourself feel it fully so that you can move forward unburdened.
06. Honour Your Body’s Role in the Journey
Our bodies carry the memories of our past selves—the stress, the joy, the survival. Honour your body’s role in your transformation by:
Taking a deep breath and thanking your body for carrying you through.
Moving your body in a way that feels renewing—yoga, dancing, stretching, or simply resting.
Nourishing yourself with good food, hydration, and care.
Your body deserves acknowledgment as much as your mind and spirit.
07. Carry Forward What Still Serves You
Not everything about your past self needs to be left behind. Some parts of you are worth carrying forward—your kindness, your curiosity, your creativity. Identify what still aligns with your evolving identity and make space for it in your future.
Consider:
What aspects of my past self still feel true to who I am becoming?
How can I integrate the best parts of my past into my future?
Growth is not about complete reinvention; it’s about evolution. Allow the past to inform, but not confine, who you are becoming.
08. Envision the Self You Are Becoming
As you release the past, turn your gaze forward. Who are you stepping into? What does this new version of you need?
Try:
Writing a letter from your future self, offering guidance and encouragement.
Creating a vision board that reflects your next chapter, and reminds you of who you are becoming and what you are stepping into.
Meditate on the feelings you want to cultivate moving forward.
By actively envisioning your next Self, you step into transformation with intention rather than passivity.
09. Celebrate and Mark the Transition
Honour the shift with a small act of celebration. This could be:
Buying yourself a meaningful token to mark the transition.
Gathering loved ones for a toast to your growth.
Treating yourself to an experience that feels symbolic of your evolution.
Celebration reminds us that change is not just an ending but also a beginning.
10. Trust the Process
Finally, trust that the person you are becoming is unfolding exactly as they need to. The Self you are leaving behind is not lost; they are integrated into your story, a foundation upon which you are building.
Change is rarely linear, and moments of nostalgia or uncertainty will arise. When they do, return to these practices—honoring, grieving, and celebrating—as often as needed. You are not abandoning yourself; you are expanding into a fuller version of who you are meant to be.
Conclusion: A Love Letter to Your Past Self
To the self you are leaving behind: Thank you for carrying me this far. Thank you for the lessons, the love, the strength, and even the struggles. I honour you. I grieve you. I love you. And I carry you forward in the most tender way. You are not forgotten; you are part of me, always.
As you step into your next chapter, may you do so with reverence, courage, and a heart open to all that is yet to come.
Over here in our world we aren't doing grief work the way we’ve been sold, taught, and fed throughout our lives. If you’re like us, you’re ready to do it differently.
Ready to take the next step? Download Being with Grief, our f r e e workbook designed to help you redefine your relationship with loss. Inside, you'll find powerful somatic practices, meaningful rituals, and journaling prompts to support your journey.
About Us:
Weaving Grief specializes in compassionate grief therapy for individuals navigating loss of any kind - death, breakups, relationship transitions, chronic illness, loss of self, and more. By addressing these profound experiences, Weaving Grief empowers clients to grieve freely and live fully. Through somatic practices and meaningful reflection, we’re here to help you navigate these tender moments and rediscover the fullness of life.
Specific areas of focus: death of a loved one (recent or past), life changing transitions, relationship transitions and break ups, pregnancy loss, grief around family planning, chronic illness, loss of Self, and supporting entrepreneurs through the grief that comes with growth.
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