The ship of famous Greek king Theseus was displayed in a museum. Over time, the wooden planks of the ship started to rot, so the museum replaced the planks one at a time in order to restore the ship. After some time, every single piece of the ship had been replaced by new wood.

Is it still the same ship?

I say yes, and no.

Yes, it is the same ship: it's still called the Ship of Theseus, and it still represents Theseus and his adventures. Its components may not be the same ones that formerly made up the ship, but they're still the same shape and appearance. They hold the same meaning. It's the same ship.

No, it isn't the same ship: it no longer has the exact planks of wood that Theseus stood upon as he sailed across the sea for his adventures. It's not the same ship - but it is a new version of the old ship.

The catalyst for this thought experiment, you see, wasn't the ship being replaced. It was the ship rotting. Things on this earth change, and if you try to deny it or stop it, you'll just cause yourself more pain. You're not supposed to stay the same. You're supposed to change. The museum replaced the planks of the ship because it was the best way for the ship to change into a new, still-beautiful version.

You're going to change. You might be entirely replaced, and you're definitely going to be a different model of yourself. But you're still going to be you. Maybe the definition of "you" changes as you grow, but that's okay. That's the entire reason we're here on this earth: to grow and change and learn and become new, better versions of ourselves. It's okay to not be the same self that you once were. It's okay to replace pieces of yourself because the old ones just weren't working anymore. It's okay to change. I hope you change for the better, but you're going to change regardless. And that's okay.

So yeah, maybe you're not the same ship. But I would rather be a beautiful restoration than a rotting relic.

Wouldn't you?