Unlearning is harder than learning. I had to let go of many habits, ideas, and mindsets that kept me stuck. It wasn’t easy, but every small step of unlearning opened new space for growth. Here are five things I had to unlearn to move forward.
1. Busy means progress
I used to think being busy all the time meant I was doing great. But I learned that busyness and progress are not the same. Sometimes, slowing down gave me more clarity than running around all day.
2. Failure is the end
For a long time, I treated failure like a full stop. Now I see it more like a comma. Failure doesn’t end the story. It redirects it. Every mistake pushed me closer to something I couldn’t see before.
3. Other people’s approval defines me
I chased validation for years. Likes, comments, compliments — all felt like fuel. But the truth is, it drained me. When I stopped living for others’ approval, I started living for myself.
4. Comfort is safety
I thought comfort zones were safe zones. Turns out, they were cages. The moment I stepped out, scary as it was, I found more strength and opportunity than comfort ever gave me.
5. Growth is a straight line
I believed growth should be smooth — step after step upward. In reality, it’s messy, full of ups and downs. Accepting the chaos made it easier to keep going without beating myself up.
Unlearning is a lifelong process. Letting go is not weakness. Sometimes, it’s the only way forward.
