After a growth spurt (whether up or out), inevitably my clothes don’t fit in the same way. Sometimes they are too short, sometimes they are too tight, and sometimes they are just plain wonky.
Most of the time I am too stubborn to accept my current reality.
I naively stuff myself in, doing whatever it takes to seal the deal.
“They’ll stretch out. Surely, they’ll stretch out,” I whisper repeatedly in hopes of convincing myself. But inevitably as the day wears on, I realize that, they, in fact, WILL NOT stretch out.
And I feel foolish.
Foolish for not realizing that I have grown. Foolish for not realizing that my clothes have stayed the same size. Foolish for not realizing that it is time to say goodbye and move on.
Unfortunately, my issues go far beyond my bulging closet.
When I experience growth, whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual, I am reluctant to accept my new reality.
I continue to stuff myself into old behaviors and patterns. But just my gaping shirt, what used to be a perfect fit is quite snug, what used to be comfortable is now constraining.
And I feel foolish.
Foolish for not realizing that I have grown. Foolish for thinking I can still fit into old molds. Foolish for not realizing that it is time to say goodbye and move on.
Have you experienced what I now affectionately refer to as “growing pains”?
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