From Embracing Femininity To Our Culture, How We Learn To Love Things We Once Hated

Perhaps growing up is not always about becoming a completely different person. Sometimes, it means returning to the parts of themselves they once pushed away.

With festivals around the corner, it is hard not to get lost in thought. Sometimes, the noise and excitement around people can make them feel strangely alone, and their minds end up with too much time to think. During such moments, a person might realise how much they have changed over the years. Things that once felt embarrassing or uninteresting suddenly become special. From falling in love with the colour pink to feeling proud of their culture, growing up can bring them back to the things they once rejected.

When Pink Stops Being Just A Colour

As children, many girls grow up hearing that pink is too girly. They may avoid it because they want to look cool, fit in with their friends or stay away from the labels people attach to feminine things. Some even believe that liking pink makes them less interesting or strong.

However, something changes with time. The same person who once avoided pink may start buying pink clothes, choosing pink accessories or finding comfort in the colour. It is no longer about what others think. It becomes about wearing what makes them happy.

Perhaps growing up means understanding that femininity is not something to hide. There is nothing wrong with liking pretty things, enjoying makeup or dressing up. Being feminine does not make someone weak, and being strong does not mean giving up the softer parts of their personality.

Growing Into Their Culture

The same feeling can apply to culture. As children, many people may not understand the importance of their traditions. They might find family gatherings boring, avoid speaking their mother tongue in public or feel awkward about the customs they grew up with. Sometimes, they may even distance themselves from their roots because they want to fit into a world that makes different cultures seem more fashionable or interesting.

But as they grow older, those same traditions can start feeling like home. The language they once hesitated to speak becomes something they want to preserve. The food they grew up eating brings comfort, while festivals become a way to reconnect with family, memories and identity. For someone who grew up Bengali, this could mean finding happiness in wearing a saree during Durga Puja, listening to Bengali songs or feeling proud of the culture that shaped them.

Growing Up Is A Full-Circle Moment

Perhaps growing up is not always about becoming a completely different person. Sometimes, it means returning to the parts of themselves they once pushed away.

People change, and so do their ideas about what is beautiful, important or worth celebrating. With time, they learn to make choices without worrying so much about how others might judge them.

Also Read: Who Are You Without Your Job Title? The Identity Crisis Women Face When Starting Again

Loving pink, embracing femininity or finding pride in one’s culture may seem like small things. But sometimes, these little changes reflect something much bigger: the freedom to accept oneself without shame.

And maybe that is the beauty of growing up. It is finding your way back to the things you once rejected and realising they were always a part of you.

Also Read: Explained: All About Korea’s 4B Feminist Movement Where Women Are Rejecting Men, Marriage And More!

First Published: October 28, 2026 6:25 PM