Shed the Skin You’re In

blog-image-when-the-guts-taped-shut

Skin is much more than just the outer layer of our bodies – it’s a metaphor for identity. It’s the boundary that separates who you are from the world around you. It’s how you see yourself and how you engage with the world. But as we evolve, the old skin – the old way of seeing ourselves – sometimes doesn’t align with who we’ve become or who we are becoming.

Have you ever had a moment where you just wanted to burst out of your own skin? That feeling when the life you’re living feels too small, too tight, and the person you’ve become doesn’t quite fit the space you’ve carved for yourself anymore? It’s like a strange dissonance between who you are now and who you were before – and that discomfort can feel almost unbearable.

But here’s the thing: it’s in that discomfort, that tightness of “skin,” that growth begins. Sometimes, you have to shed the old layer, that old identity, before you can step into the next version of yourself.  Much like a snake shedding its skin, we, too, must go through the process of releasing the layers that no longer serve us. When a snake sheds, it’s not because it’s weak or broken. It’s a natural process – one that marks a stage of growth. That shedding creates space for the snake to continue to grow, evolve, and thrive.

So, when was the last time you felt disembodied, disoriented, or disconnected? That sense that you’ve outgrown your current skin – your current identity? Maybe it’s in your career, your personal life, or in your creativity. Sometimes, this feeling of being “too big” for the space you’re in leads to frustration, a sense of being stuck, or even fear of what’s to come next. But just like the snake, the very discomfort you’re feeling is the key to your expansion.

Take creativity, for example. For many of us, there’s this constant push and pull between our ideas and the reality of implementing them. Ideas swirl around, but the time and energy to bring them to life always seem to be in short supply. We start feeling scattered, overwhelmed, and maybe even disconnected from our true potential.

I’ve often found myself in this cycle. My mind, constantly brimming with ideas – so many ideas – but there’s this constant tension between wanting to act on them all and the struggle to focus on any one of them long enough to bring it to fruition. It can be completely overwhelming. The creative saboteur within constantly whispers, “You’re not good enough,” or “It’s not the right time.” The fear of judgment, rejection, and criticism can hold us back from putting our ideas out into the world, leaving us stuck in a loop of procrastination, avoidance, self-doubt and inaction.

This is where the shedding process comes in.

In order to manifest our ideas, we need to ground them. This requires three things: commitment, focus and flexibility.  But too much commitment and focus, without flexibility may begin to feel dry and rigid, so we also need to cultivate a mindset of play. Creativity thrives in an environment where exploration and discovery are nurtured, where mistakes are seen as part of the process, rather than obstacles and roadblocks.

If you are able to soften your approach, adopt a mindset of curiosity and openness, you begin to shed the skin of perfectionism, you develop more self-acceptance and compassion, which supports you in starting to show up more consistently, even if it’s messy, even if it’s ugly, even if it’s imperfect. You stop waiting for the “perfect” moment or the “perfect” idea. Instead, you embrace the process, with all of its ups and downs.

Commitment means showing up every day, even when the ideas feel scattered, even when nothing seems to fall into place. It’s about putting in the effort, long-term. But at the same time, flexibility allows you to adapt when things don’t go according to plan. The unexpected turns, the mistakes, and the moments of failure are just as much a part of the creative journey as the successes. By staying open, staying curious, and staying willing to learn, you allow the process of growth to unfold naturally.

Shedding of the old skin is the key to breaking free from the shackles of a creative block—or any personal growth challenge. This process of letting go isn’t always easy. It’s uncomfortable and sometimes even painful or stressful. But as soon as you surrender, relax and allow yourself to shed that old layer, you’ll find that your potential is no longer constrained by the limits you once placed on yourself.

So, next time you feel that discomfort, that urge to burst out of your own skin, ask yourself:

  • What’s next?
  • What am I yearning to create?
  • What am I longing to explore?
  • What layer of my identity, my creativity, or my approach to life am I ready to shed?
  • How can I embrace the discomfort that comes with the growth?
  • And how can you explore and play more in your day?

You may not have all the answers right away. But trust that, just like the snake, your next stage of growth is on its way—if only you’re brave enough to surrender and let go of what no longer serves you. 

Like it? Share it: