The War Between Who You Are and Who You Could Be

Growth doesn’t happen by accident — it happens in the tension.

There have been times in my life when I’ve felt completely misaligned — like I was drifting through the motions without direction. That feeling usually shows up when I lack clarity on what the next step looks like. It creeps in during moments of uncertainty or self-doubt. I’ve noticed it often after traveling — after being exposed to how others live, how big the world is, and how much possibility is out there.

In those moments, I remember something I’ve learned over the last few years: You can have anything you want. You can become anything you want. But just because you can do anything, doesn’t mean you should try to do everything.

The balance is hard to find. But I’ve learned to pay attention to the signals — the recurring thoughts I can’t shake, the ideas that keep showing up in my mind, the work I feel drawn to create. That’s where the path is. Those are the things I’ve started doubling down on.

The Fear of Growth Is Real — And It’s Necessary

There’s a real fear that comes with becoming the next version of yourself. That fear doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path — it usually means you’re exactly where you need to be.

If something excites you and scares you at the same time, pay attention. That’s not a warning sign. It’s a compass.

Work. Rest. Repeat.

Life comes in cycles — periods of intense work and periods of forced rest. Even MrBeast, one of the hardest working creators of our generation, talks about how he’ll go all-in for weeks or months, then completely shut down to recover.

Rest doesn’t mean you're falling behind.
Rest is part of the process. It gives you clarity.
But don’t confuse rest with inaction.
One restores you. The other drains you.

The key is to know the difference.

Bridge the Gap With Small Disciplines

If you’re unsure how to become the person you want to be, start with disciplines.

Write 30 minutes a day.
Go to the gym.
Eat better.
Text that person back.
Clean your space.
Say “no” more often.

Look at your five-year vision — now look at today. That gap is filled by how consistently you can act like the future version of yourself.

Who you want to be isn’t a mystery. It’s a mirror.

Growth = Voluntary Discomfort

Breaking bad habits, healing, becoming stronger — it all requires discomfort.
Lifting weights is painful. Eating clean isn’t always convenient. Writing daily can make you feel like an imposter. But growth never comes from ease.

Progress hides inside repetition.
Inside boredom.
Inside the work you’d rather skip.

You Won’t See It Until You’re Past It

Looking back, I can’t say I’ve grown in every area of life — that’s impossible. But I have grown. And not through massive life changes or one perfect system — but through small things, compounded over time.

That’s what makes it real. That’s what makes it sustainable.

Memento Mori

The phrase Memento Mori has stuck with me lately. Remember that you must die.

It’s not meant to scare you. It’s meant to remind you that time is short — and that you don’t get to live this day twice.

Comfort will rob you of who you could’ve become. I don’t want to look back at the end of my life and realize I could’ve been more for the people I love. That I could’ve given more to the world. That I left something on the table. And neither should you.