I miss a version of myself that doesn’t exist anymore

It was around 2 AM when I started scrolling through old chats. Not looking for anything specific… just randomly going back in time. And I came across conversations from a version of me that felt completely different. I sounded lighter. Less careful. Less… tired, I guess. I was saying things without overthinking every word. Laughing more. Not questioning everything. And it hit me in a way I didn’t expect. I don’t think I miss those people as much as I miss who I was around them. It’s strange because logically, I know I’ve grown. I’ve handled things, learned things, become more aware. But emotionally… I felt happier then. Or maybe just simpler. I closed the chat after a while because it started to feel like I was looking at someone I couldn’t go back to. And now I’m sitting here wondering… Is it normal to feel homesick for a past version of yourself? Even if you know you’re “better” now?