The People We Outgrow — My Entry for Hive-Reachout Weekly Prompt 74

Written by Luminomind

There’s a Yoruba proverb that says, “Twenty children cannot play together for twenty years.” Growing up, I heard it many times but never really understood the depth until life started happening. As we grow, our priorities change, our paths shift, and even the people who once felt like our whole world slowly fade into the background.
For me, the person I outgrew wasn’t a stranger or a classmate—it was someone who once felt like a brother. We grew up together, shared dreams, shared food, shared secrets, almost everything. If anyone had asked me back then, I would have sworn we could never drift apart. But life has a way of proving us wrong.
It didn’t happen suddenly; it was gradual. First it was distance, then different goals, then silence. At some point, our conversations became shallow—just greetings, jokes, and nothing more. The bond simply thinned until there was nothing left to hold. No fight. No argument. No heavy misunderstanding. Just life happening in its quiet way.
Looking back now, I think I outgrew him because we were no longer walking the same direction. I, Luminomind, became more focused on self-improvement, building skills, growing spiritually, and taking responsibility for my life. He chose a different path, one that didn’t align with where I was heading. And with time, we both accepted the distance without speaking about it.
How has my life been without him?
Honestly—peaceful. I miss the memories sometimes, but not the relationship. There are people we hold onto just because of nostalgia, not because they still add value to our present lives. Removing that emotional weight made room for new friendships, healthier connections, and people who match my energy and growth
Would I want him back in my life if I had the chance?

Maybe… but not in the same way. If life ever puts us in the same space again, I’ll welcome him warmly, but I won’t force the relationship to return to what it once was. Some people are meant for a chapter, not the whole book

Outgrowing people isn’t a sign of pride; it’s a sign of growth. We can’t shrink ourselves to fit old versions of who we used to be. Life moves, and we must move with it.

This prompt made me reflect on how far I’ve come, and I hope someone out there reading this finds clarity too. It’s okay to outgrow people. Just don’t outgrow your purpose.