The version of me that started this project would hate the version of me that's running it now

When I started building, I had principles.

I was going to stay small. I was going to keep it simple. I was going to charge what it was worth and not chase growth. I was going to be different from all those "growth hacking" startups I hated.

Fast forward two years. I've added features I said I'd never add. I've done marketing I said I'd never do. I've charged less than I said I'd charge because I was scared. I've compromised on things I said I'd never compromise on.

Some of these changes were good. I was naive and the compromises were necessary. But some of them were just... me slowly becoming the thing I said I didn't want to be. Not because anyone forced me. Because it was easier.

I don't know if this is growth or corruption. Maybe both. Maybe they're the same thing.

Has anyone else noticed themselves drifting from their original vision? How do you tell the difference between "I've learned and grown" and "I've slowly sold out my own principles because it was easier"?