In our ongoing examination of It’s time to change your favorites, we have explored the topics of time and change in previous entries, which now brings us to the third piece of this guiding trinity of self-improvement, the what of it all of which all our decisions may be directly or indirectly influenced by: our favorites. Like with the natural progression of time, our favorites too are subject to great change. As we grow, both physically and mentally, the things we cherish may grow with us, or we may leave them behind as a child outgrows their favorite Saturday morning cartoons for sitcoms or young adult fiction. This does not diminish or lessen the importance of these favorites and their time in our lives but speaks to a natural evolution that we all undergo. Patterns and routines previously cherished like weekend meetups amongst old college friends at a favorite tavern may give way to necessary life changes that come with careers or starting a family. In these instances, it is not necessarily a matter of better or worse, as if to say one must evolve and alter one’s lifestyle drastically to find purpose or personal satisfaction. On the contrary, it is simply a matter of prioritizing the favorites you wish to keep vs. the ones you are able to part with, to make room and time for new favorites in our changing lives.
Indeed, it is both practical and natural to shed the things that no longer fit within the framework of our lives. In other instances, however, it may be beneficial or even necessary to alter our relationship with these favorites. As I have previously mentioned in our initial entry, I had to come to terms with cutting back on my favorite boardwalk treats once I recognized that this was the right move for me. It is perfectly normal and healthy to consider how our favorites may impact our lives and to alter them accordingly. Do not be dismayed if changing these favorites does not happen overnight. It is an ongoing process and may be a struggle at times, but we must validate this struggle as we push forward towards the new reality we wish to create for ourselves. That may involve reducing time spent on hobbies or fewer trips to the bar, whatever form this alteration may take on. Yet, regardless of our reasoning, the decision to change your favorites must come from the individual first, as ultimately the power to evolve or reevaluate our relationship with the things we cherish starts from within.