It’s been a while since I’ve written anything personal on my blog, so this feels like a long-awaited sigh of relief. Starting over in real life can sometimes feel discouraging. You think of everything you’ve built, realize it’s gone, and here you are again—rebuilding. It’s easy to get angry, discouraged, disappointed in yourself, and want to give up.
But that’s a huge part of why I started this series. Starting over doesn’t have to be dreadful. It doesn’t have to be this dark, lonely, bitter journey with no light at the end of the tunnel or fruit to harvest.
The light comes when we keep walking, and the fruit appears when we tend to what needs our care. We can do that with hope, joy, and a smile, knowing that one day it’ll all pay off—again, but in a much greater and sweeter way.
Within the last year, I started over in the most unexpected ways.
I moved to a place I never thought I’d move to, and ended up loving it. After working in the same position for 15 years, I got a job in a different department that I actually love—with a pay raise and the best hours (no more being a night owl for me). I even upgraded my car to an SUV (or a “mom car,” as my daughter calls it) that my teenager loves, and that I plan to give her when she starts driving. And the goodness just keeps coming.
But to be honest, there were more times than I can count when I thought I’d never make it to the good part. Lying on my living room floor in what I thought was defeat, believing my life was over after it had been drastically altered. Sitting in the hospital holding my daughter’s hand as she fought for each breath. Feeling the anger in the pit of my stomach as I watched those I loved take every last thing I owned from my home. And honestly, the list goes on.
Those were all events that led me to where I am now; in a place I love being in and experiencing. Had I decided to keep lying on that floor in defeat, not get up and keep walking, I wouldn’t be here.
So are “starting over” seasons hard? Yes. I’d be lying if I said there weren’t times I stayed in bed feeling hopeless, or took countless trips to Starbucks for a venti iced chai latte with oat milk and non-dairy vanilla cold foam (because that’s therapy for me). But being gentle with yourself during the process doesn’t have to be hard.
Keep walking.
Show yourself love and grace.
Be grateful for what, and who, is around you.
The light will eventually come, and you’ll be more than glad you didn’t give up on yourself.
If anything, that’s the message I would like for you (if you’re starting over like me) to take from this.
Want daily inspiration? Check out my book on Amazon here.
Relatable Reads:
