When You Outgrow the Version of Yourself Everyone Knows.

When You Outgrow the Version of Yourself Everyone Knows:

At some point, we all outgrow the version of ourselves that everyone else still recognizes. The one who fit neatly into a box that used to feel right. But what happens when you start to change, and the world hasn’t caught up yet?

In this episode, Jama opens up about the tension that comes with evolving into someone new while still being seen through the lens of who you used to be. She shares her personal story of moving beyond the identity that defined her for years, the photographer, the creative, the one everyone counted on to show up in a certain way, and how she’s learning to honor who she’s becoming.

If you’ve ever felt torn between holding on and letting go, or wondered why change can feel so lonely even when it’s good, this episode is for you. It’s an honest look at growth, identity, and the quiet courage it takes to rewrite your story in real time.

Timestamps:

 – Hook: The moment you realize the world still sees the old you
– Why evolving feels lonely (and why that’s normal)
– Jama’s personal story of shifting identity
– The discomfort others feel when you start changing
– Learning to stay steady in the in-between
– Outgrowing your old self with grace
– Closing reflections on reinvention and self-trust

Key Takeaways:

• Growth can make others uncomfortable, and that’s okay.
• Outgrowing who you were isn’t betrayal; it’s honoring your next evolution.
• The gap between the old and new versions of you is where true transformation happens.
• You don’t owe anyone the same version of yourself forever.
• The people meant for your next chapter will recognize the new you, even before you fully do.

Closing Note:

If you’re standing in that in-between, where you feel yourself shifting but can’t quite explain it, trust that you’re not lost, you’re becoming. This is what growth looks like in real time.

CTA:

If this episode spoke to you, share it with a friend who’s reinventing herself, too. And come say hi on Instagram @JamaPantel
— Jama would love to hear what part of yourself you’re rediscovering.

https://www.jamapantel.com

Chapters

• 0:00 Naming The In‑Between
• 0:12 From Photographer To Inner Strength
• 1:05 When Others Prefer The Old You
• 1:41 Pruning As A Metaphor For Growth
• 2:29 Permission To Evolve
• 3:02 Closing Encouragement

Transcript

Jama Pantel: 0:00

Have you ever felt like you're changing, but the world still sees you as the old version of you? Yeah, that's the part that no one talks about. The gap between who you were and who you're becoming. Hey y'all, it's your podcast Bestie Jama again, and today we're diving into something that's been showing up in my own life lately. What it feels like to outgrow the version of yourself everyone else still recognizes. It's that weird in between where you're not who you used to be, but you're also not totally sure who you're becoming, and it can feel lonely, even when you're surrounded by people who love you. I've been feeling this a lot lately. For years, people have known me as the photographer, the one who captures seniors and families and entrepreneurs, who helps people feel confident and comfortable on camera. And I still love that part of me, but lately I felt pulled toward something more. Talking about wellness and fitness and strength, and honestly, perimenopause, but not the kind of strength that you see in photos, but the kind you build from the inside out. But here's the tricky part. When you start changing, people get confused. They like the version of you they know. The one who fit neatly into a box that made sense to them. And when you start stepping outside of that box, even if it's something better, it makes them uncomfortable. I've had people ask, wait, you're still doing photography, right? Are you changing careers or what you do? And I get it, they're just trying to understand. But there is a little sting in realizing that the old version of you is still the one they picture, even when you've already started to evolve. We all build identities that feel safe. Mom, business owner, athlete, creative, caretaker, achiever, and we wear them like a badge of honor. But growth means peeling back those layers, layer by layer, even when it feels vulnerable. Outgrowing the version of yourself doesn't mean you're betraying who you were once were. It means you're honoring who you're becoming. Think of it a little like pruning a plant. You're not cutting it down, you're making space for new growth. And that was something I learned when I started my garden. Cut it back, cut it back, and room for new growth. Sometimes the hardest part isn't changing. It's staying steady in that gap between the old and the new, even when others don't quite see the transformation yet. And that's kind of where I'm stuck at right now. If this is resonating with you, maybe you're in your own evolution right now. Maybe the things that once defined you aren't the full picture anymore, and that's okay. You're allowed to change your mind and change it often. You're allowed to grow beyond what people expect, and you're allowed to take up space in your new season, even before anyone else understands it. You don't owe anyone the same version of you forever. So if you're feeling like you're in that in-between stage where everything's shifting but not everyone's caught up yet, I want you to know this. The people meant to walk with you into this next chapter will. And the ones who only knew the old version, you can thank them for being part of your story and still keep moving forward. This is your reminder that growth doesn't always look graceful. Sometimes it's messy and quiet and hard to explain, but it's still worth it. And that's all I have for y'all today. Until next week. Thanks y'all for tuning in. Bye.