Tuesday Real Talk

“I’m Just Who I Am.” Are We Really?

We’ve all heard someone say…

“This is just who I am. Love it or leave it. I’m not changing.”

The older I get, the harder it is for me to believe that.

Think about it.

We don’t even stay in the same body throughout our lives. As children, teenagers, young adults, parents, and seniors, our bodies are constantly changing. So why would our hearts, minds, and perspectives stay exactly the same?

I believe we are always evolving.

Yes, we may carry certain personality traits with us. I have always been a storyteller. I’ve always enjoyed connecting with people. Those parts of me have stayed pretty consistent.

But life has changed me.

The loss of loved ones changed me.

Becoming a mother changed me.

Owning businesses changed me.

Working in healthcare changed me.

Living with chronic pain changed me.

Getting older changed me.

Every experience leaves a fingerprint on who we become.

Some changes happen without us even realizing it. Other changes are intentional because one day we wake up and decide…

“I don’t want to keep living this way.”

To me, growth is one of life’s greatest gifts.

I don’t want to be the exact same person I was twenty years ago. I hope I’ve become more patient, more understanding, more compassionate, and maybe even a little wiser.

I think saying, “I’m just who I am,” can sometimes become an excuse to avoid growing.

We are all works in progress.

And that’s a beautiful thing.

What has life changed about you?

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Information that supports this

Research in psychology supports the idea that people continue to change throughout adulthood.

• Personality can change over time. While some personality traits are relatively stable, studies show they continue to develop through adulthood as people gain new experiences, relationships, and responsibilities.
• The brain remains capable of change. Scientists call this neuroplasticity—our brains continue forming new connections throughout life as we learn, adapt, and recover from challenges.
• Life experiences shape us. Major events such as marriage, parenthood, illness, career changes, grief, and aging often influence our attitudes, priorities, and behaviors.

This is something to think about. 🤔

Real Talk With Lady Flava 🌻