Rewilding Part 2: Living the Change Freedom, Boundaries, and Becoming Me

This is Part Two of my Rewilding: Becoming Me series.

I’m not the same person I once was—my life has completely changed.
But the change wasn’t flashy. It didn’t happen all at once. It was slow, at times painful, and required me to confront the old, buried parts of myself. I made mistakes. I wanted to quit. But something deep inside kept pushing me forward. Even when I was barely hanging on, I held onto my faith.

Something in my soul was crying out, but I didn’t yet understand what it was trying to tell me.
During that time, I battled depression and a deep sadness I couldn’t explain. I thought something was wrong with me. I searched everywhere for something to ease the pain but nothing worked.

I saw myself standing at the edge of a great precipice, desperate to jump into something better, a life with purpose and peace. But fear, doubt, shame, and old wounds held me back.
What I didn’t know then was that the longing I felt inside was God calling me back.

Everything changed when I stopped striving and started surrendering.
I call that transformation process rewilding, a return to the original design, freedom in Christ, and the embrace of the person I was always meant to be. It’s about coming home.

Since coming home, God has blessed me in ways I never imagined. The changes may not be visible to everyone, but inside, my heart has been completely renewed.
If you missed the beginning of this journey, you can read Part 1 here where I first shared my rewilding story.

The Fear and Insecurity I Used to Feel

Looking back, I realize I built a version of myself to protect the real me.
My authentic self didn’t feel acceptable, so I created someone more likable. But I wasn’t prepared for the cost. The real me, the one made in God’s image, was getting buried under a façade.

I became the life of the party. I put on a show. I drank too much, talked too much, and sought validation in all the wrong places. I fed off attention, hoping it would fill the emptiness inside.

Outwardly I seemed confident. Inside, I was drowning in self-loathing.
It became a cycle; seek validation, receive it, compromise myself in the process, spiral deeper.
I became tangled in weeds; emotional, relational, spiritual weeds.
I didn’t realize it then, but what I truly needed wasn’t more approval, it was healing.
And healing didn’t begin until I stopped performing and started surrendering.

Surrender Changed Everything

I didn’t have a plan. I didn’t map out my next steps. I just started letting go. Step by step, I let go of the false narratives I believed about myself. I learned to let go of other people’s perceptions. I was finally able to let go of the dreams I had clung to for so long.

Since surrendering, I’ve become someone completely different.
I’ve stepped into a more authentic version of myself without fear of rejection.
I don’t seek external validation the way I used to. It’s still a temptation at times, but now I recognize it and don’t let it control me.

With my new confidence in the One who made me, I’ve started stepping out in faith and using my gifts.
This website is an example of that freedom. Before, I was terrified to be seen. Now, I share my stories openly hoping they’ll inspire others who are ready to break free, too.

I’m Learning to Set Boundaries

One of the biggest changes has been learning to set boundaries.
As a former people pleaser, my boundaries were almost non-existent.
I didn’t see it then, but my lack of boundaries reflected my lack of self-worth.

Now, I speak up for myself. I prioritize my own needs.
And I no longer feel guilty about it.

Creating healthy boundaries has also made room for something I long neglected: self-care.
These days, I eat better, exercise daily, and make my health a priority.
Before, my time and energy were always spent on others but now, I make space for my own well-being.

I’m Becoming Me

As I look back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
This wasn’t a quick fix. It was a process and surrender was the key.

Surrender helped me stop living a lie and embrace who I was created to be.
Now, I wake up with purpose and authenticity.
Every day, I learn something new about who I am in Christ and I’m excited to see what God has planned next.

Let’s Grow Together

If you’ve ever felt like you had to perform to be accepted, I want you to know: you’re not alone.
I’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment or send me a message—I’m here for it.

👉 And stay tuned for the next post in my Rewilding: Becoming Me series, where I’ll share more about what surrender really looked like in practice and what I had to leave behind to move forward.