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The Seasons of Life, the Versions of Ourselves, and the Beauty of Letting Go
In this deeply personal episode of University of Why, I take you behind the scenes of a major life transition I’m walking through right now, moving out of the home I’ve lived in for 16 years.
This isn’t just a physical move. It’s an emotional one.
It’s a season of purging, shedding, reflecting… and realizing just how many different women I’ve been since I first walked through that front door.
From single, newly minted endodontist, to wife, to mother of three, to entrepreneur—this house has seen it all. And packing it up has brought wave after wave of memories, emotions, and perspective shifts I didn’t expect.
What started as a logistical nightmare (moving in with my parents while our new dream home is delayed—fun!) has turned into a powerful reminder of how much we grow, change, and evolve… often without even realizing it.
16 Years, Countless Versions of Me
When I first moved to Charlotte, I didn’t know a soul.
I had just finished my endodontic residency, I wasn’t married yet, and I moved into my new house a few weeks before my wedding so I could host my family.
Back then, I thought that Sonia was the final version of me.
But as I packed, I found baby clothes from when I became a mom for the first time. Outfits I bought but never wore because I didn’t love myself enough in that moment. Pieces of my life I’d completely forgotten—until they were in my hands again.
Each item pulled me back to a different season. Each season reminded me that the version of myself I thought was permanent… never was.
A Chance Encounter That Brought It All Home
Oddly enough, part of this reflection came from a night out at a concert.
On the way, my husband and I connected with our Uber driver, who later picked us up after the show. While trying to leave the venue, he lightly honked at a woman blocking the street. She spun around, hurled a few choice words at him, and stormed off.
In that moment, I remembered being her.
Reactive. Hurt. Triggered. Maybe numbed by alcohol.
Instead of judging her, I felt compassion. Because I knew how much beauty was waiting for her on the other side of that pain—if she chose to grow. And it made me realize how far I’ve come from those versions of myself… and how grateful I am for each of them.
The Ceremony of Letting Go
Leaving this house hasn’t been easy. My husband and I debated for six years before we finally decided to build our new home. And honestly? Part of me feels guilty for not appreciating this house enough while we were in it.
It’s a house that protected us, nurtured us, and gave us space to become who we are today. It deserves a proper send-off. I don’t know yet what that ceremony will look like, but I know I’ll do something to honor it before we hand over the keys.
Because it’s not just walls and a roof—it’s the container for 16 years of our lives.
Looking Ahead While Honoring What Was
Moving is bittersweet. I’m excited for our dream home (when it’s finally ready), but I’m also nervous. Will I feel the way I want to feel there?
The truth is, I have no idea what the next version of me will look like.
But I do know this: every version so far has been here for a reason. Even the messy, reactive, triggered ones.
They’ve all shaped my values, my resilience, and my clarity about how I want to show up in the world.
And I’m curious—who will I be in the next 16 years?
A Call to Reflect
As I wrap up this episode, I want to turn the questions back to you:
- Who were you 10 years ago? 16 years ago?
- Did you think you’d become the person you are today?
- Have you ever found something sentimental while cleaning that brought an old version of you rushing back?
- Do you love all the versions of yourself? What can you thank them for?
- And most importantly—what are you making room for next?
While it’s tempting to think we’ve “arrived,” life keeps showing me we never stop becoming. Maybe it’s time to write a letter to your past self… and your future self.
Listen to the Full Episode:
Show Notes with Timestamps:
00:00 — Intro: The house that held 16 years of my life
02:12 — Moving chaos, delays, and living at my parents’ place
05:20 — Memories unearthed while packing and purging
08:37 — The many versions of me this house has seen
11:36 — A concert, an Uber driver, and seeing my past self in a stranger
14:04 — Compassion over judgment
16:11 — Letting go of a home, an era, and an identity
18:30 — Why every version of you has a purpose
19:43 — Reflection questions for your own growth journey
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
Have you ever gone through a transition that made you reflect on all the versions of yourself?
Send me a DM or leave a comment—I’d love to hear your story.
And if this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who’s moving through a big change. You never know how much they might need to hear it.
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