We live in a world that constantly asks, “What’s next?” But every now and then, I find it important to pause and glance over my shoulder. Because in that glance, I see the lessons, the mistakes, the victories, and even the quiet moments that shaped me.
Looking back, I see seasons I thought I wouldn’t survive. Times when plans fell apart,times when I felt like starting all over and even sometimes I want to give up, when I doubted myself, when I felt stuck. I remember the little wins that didn’t seem like much then, but were proof I was moving forward.
And I’ve realised something, looking back isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about clarity. It’s about recognising patterns, understanding what worked and what didn’t, understanding mistakes and how it could have been better and using that knowledge to guide the road ahead.
I think about times I spread myself too thin, chasing everything at once. Now I know better. Moving forward, I choose focus giving my energy to the things that truly matter.
I think about relationships, the ones I’ve built and the ones I’ve let go of. Looking back, I see that not everyone is meant to stay forever. Moving forward, I’ll treasure those who bring love and peace, and release those who bring chaos.
Failures? They once felt like proof I wasn’t good enough. Now, I see them as teachers. Each one showed me where I needed to grow, what to change, and sometimes, what to walk away from. Moving forward, I’m less afraid of failing and more afraid of not trying.
Reflection also means celebrating progress. The dreams I once prayed for are now part of my everyday life. Moving forward, I want to live in that balance, grateful for the past, excited for the future.
For me, moving forward means carrying resilience, adaptability, and hope while leaving behind fear, comparison, and perfectionism.
Because the past isn’t a place to live. It’s a place to learn from.
And those lessons are the fuel that will keep me moving forward.
Images used are mine