Knowing When It’s Time

Let’s talk about expiration dates.

What do they really mean?

And why do they even exist?

Expiration dates aren’t there to scare us. They exist to protect us.

They let us know when something is no longer at its best, no longer safe, no longer effective. Not because it was bad—but because time, conditions, and growth changed its usefulness.

Milk doesn’t expire because it failed. Medicine doesn’t expire because it didn’t work hard enough. Food expires because it was designed for a season, not forever.

And life works the same way.

Some things in our lives have expiration dates too— habits, relationships, routines, mindsets, roles, even versions of ourselves. Just because something once served you doesn’t mean it’s meant to serve you forever.

What was once helpful can become heavy. What was once necessary can become limiting. What was once aligned can become outdated as you grow.

Setting an expiration date isn’t being ungrateful. It’s being honest.

It’s okay to say:

• “This no longer fits who I am.”

• “I’ve outgrown this space.”

• “This no longer adds value to my life.”

• “I need a boundary here.”

• “This season is complete.”

Expiration dates create clarity. They protect your peace. They prevent you from holding on to things that quietly drain you.

And here’s the beautiful part—

When something reaches its expiration date, you have options.

You can let it go. You can replace it with something better. Or you can refresh it—if it still has purpose and aligns with who you’re becoming.

Growth requires regular evaluation.

What still serves me?

What no longer does?

What needs to be released so something new can grow?

You don’t owe permanence to anything that no longer supports your purpose. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is read the label… and choose what’s best for you.

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