A mentor provides direction, wisdom and sometimes, a sense of security. Early in a career or personal journey, this guidance is invaluable. It helps build confidence, refine skills and make sense of new challenges. As time passes though, that same guidance can become a comfort zone. The advice that once felt like a beacon can start to feel like a limitation, keeping you within the boundaries of what has already been explored.
It is easy to mistake familiarity for necessity. You might feel that as long as your mentor is still guiding you, you must still need their guidance in the same way. But growth does not always mean continuing on the same path with the same guide. Sometimes, it means recognizing when you have learned what you needed and allowing yourself to seek new insights elsewhere.
Mentorship is not meant to be a lifelong crutch. The most valuable lessons from a mentor are the ones that empower you to trust your own judgment, make independent decisions and eventually walk your own path. If staying in the mentorship dynamic is holding you back, then moving forward is not rejection - it is progress.