This really resonates with me. I’m navigating change as we speak and what’s holding me back or maybe holding me in place is that I’m not sure yet what my next chapter looks like. But reading things like this reminds me that I’m on the right path and things will become clearer.
I'm so glad this resonated, Jamie. I know exactly how you feel - I'm in that same place often.
There's a quote I love, by E.L Doctorow, that goes, "Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way."
It's about writing, but I apply it to many things, including navigating big life changes. 1% a day. One step at a time. That's all we can do! x
I am navigating a huge change right now…I am being permanently laid off of my job of 28 years in corporate America. Everyone is asking me where I am going next (which company) and I want to say no where! But I still have bills to pay and my hobby level water color painting won’t pay the bills. At minimum, once my final day of work passes, I am taking a couple weeks off to get my bearings straight and figure out my next chapter. I envision a lot of soul searching and time in nature.
Wow, Renee, this is huge, and certainly a lot to navigate.
Taking time to "figure things out" in nature is a great idea. Taking a break from social media and the news helped me immensely when I needed to do some thinking. You don't realise how much space those things occupy in your mind...
Renee, I’m in the same boat. Laid off from 20 years in my corp job. What’s next? Who knows. What I do know is that I want a life that is a lot slower and meaningful they sparks a light. It’s amazing how people grasp on to asking “what’s next? Where are you applying?” I have now framed it as “I’m taking a sabbatical for 3 months and will figure it out then.” Wishing you all the best on your next chapter. 🌸
I am having one of the those days where the anxiety of quitting my job to travel the world is outweighing the excitement of the adventure. This was a really empowering, assuring and validating read - thank you!
I'll be coming back to this post many times over. I also had a health scare in July, breast instead of throat. I too, was a "lucky" one. But that catapulted my spouse and I to reevaluate EVERYTHING in our life. We'd lived far away from both our families for 11 years and made the major decision to sell everything and move back. We realized, before learning the lumps were nothing more than lumps, that we were ready to be closer. That if the lumps had been something more, we wanted that time to be spent around loved ones.
After the big move, I was laid off from my job and have been living that in-between. Figuring out if I want to take the "easy" route of just getting another job, or choosing to build something of my own that I won't just get tired of in 6 months.
I'm not on the other side just yet, but I do know I'm so much happier in this unknown and uncomfortable phase, than I was just a short 4 months ago❤️
Brooke! What an amazing story. I feel like we’ve shared such similar experiences. Thank you for taking the time to share this. Hearing you’ve found happiness in the unknown makes me smile (and inspires me to persevere too). So nice to connect!
I’m at about the same place, coming up on a year since my corporate life was abruptly ended. So many truths here from thinking this is it! To is this it? To this must be it! It’s all a rollercoaster still. But keep at it. There’s something to it for sure. Cheers to that.
The rollercoaster never ends...! But I believe endings always give way to new and better beginnings. All the best of luck with your journey, Elena, and thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment! x
I loved reading this. Our paths are so similar. I'm in the liminal, currently unemployed and navigating so many life changes after being in the marketing world for 15+ years. Today feels hard, but your words are so comforting. Thank-you for this. Waving at you from the U.S. and wishing I was in the U.K. It's a disaster over right now. *sigh*
Hi Shaunté, thank you for taking the time to share your story — sending positivity and strength your way as you navigate a new chapter.
It's comforting to know that all over the world so many of us are searching for a life with more meaning. It doesn't make the liminal any easier. The liminal is crap. But it's a necessary evil. I have all the faith you'll make it through to the other side!
A lot of this resonates with me as a corporate bod constantly trying to flex whatever is left of my creative muscles after a few years of grief and over working. I don’t have the guts or desire (right now!) to leave my job but it’s always on my mind that I’d love to write more, do some freelance work and have more control of my life! Really enjoyed your post :)
Oh, Apryl. I'm sorry for what you're working through currently. You know what? It's so totally fine not to have the guts. It took me years to find mine... But the fact that you have a little smoke dancing where a fire might burn, is exciting!
Keep writing, and stay open to cues that it might be the right time for change. But mostly, go easy and take care of yourself! <3
Thank you for reading and for taking the time to share your story xx
I randomly came across your post and it is so inspiring. In May 2023 my husband and I agreed to commit to moving cross country here in the US. A year to the day later I started my current job which is working full time with horses. A complete change from what I was doing before but also a reconnection to my childhood and teen years when I was horse crazy and working with horses regularly, in addition to riding. My husband got a new job too and we moved to a town closer to family. Everything is different from what it was a year ago or two years ago. I loved what you posted here - so motivating.
Grace! Thank you for taking the time to read and leave this lovely comment. I'm so glad you could resonate with the themes in this post. Your new life sounds magical — I grew up riding horses so you're living one of my alternate-reality dreams! In saying that, I know how stressful a move it must have been for you both. I hope reconnecting with your childhood passion is proving positive for you :)
Wow, thank you for sharing this. I'm not currently in a singular big change phase, but I feel like I am on the verge of one and just scared to start working towards it. I think that's why your post resonated with me. Thank you for the reminder to dream big and not be afraid of change.
This really resonates with me. I’m navigating change as we speak and what’s holding me back or maybe holding me in place is that I’m not sure yet what my next chapter looks like. But reading things like this reminds me that I’m on the right path and things will become clearer.
I'm so glad this resonated, Jamie. I know exactly how you feel - I'm in that same place often.
There's a quote I love, by E.L Doctorow, that goes, "Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way."
It's about writing, but I apply it to many things, including navigating big life changes. 1% a day. One step at a time. That's all we can do! x
I am navigating a huge change right now…I am being permanently laid off of my job of 28 years in corporate America. Everyone is asking me where I am going next (which company) and I want to say no where! But I still have bills to pay and my hobby level water color painting won’t pay the bills. At minimum, once my final day of work passes, I am taking a couple weeks off to get my bearings straight and figure out my next chapter. I envision a lot of soul searching and time in nature.
Wow, Renee, this is huge, and certainly a lot to navigate.
Taking time to "figure things out" in nature is a great idea. Taking a break from social media and the news helped me immensely when I needed to do some thinking. You don't realise how much space those things occupy in your mind...
If you don't already, I recommend reading Anne's Substack: https://anneboydrioux.substack.com. I think you'll connect a lot with it.
Wishing you all the very best of luck in your (exciting) life transition!
And thank you for reading x
Thank you so much for the resources and tips!
I'm wishing you the best Renee. I'm in a similar situation.
Renee, I’m in the same boat. Laid off from 20 years in my corp job. What’s next? Who knows. What I do know is that I want a life that is a lot slower and meaningful they sparks a light. It’s amazing how people grasp on to asking “what’s next? Where are you applying?” I have now framed it as “I’m taking a sabbatical for 3 months and will figure it out then.” Wishing you all the best on your next chapter. 🌸
I am having one of the those days where the anxiety of quitting my job to travel the world is outweighing the excitement of the adventure. This was a really empowering, assuring and validating read - thank you!
I’m glad it helped, Lauren. I have a wobble at least once a day 😅 totally normal and reassuring to know there’s many of us all in this together!
I'll be coming back to this post many times over. I also had a health scare in July, breast instead of throat. I too, was a "lucky" one. But that catapulted my spouse and I to reevaluate EVERYTHING in our life. We'd lived far away from both our families for 11 years and made the major decision to sell everything and move back. We realized, before learning the lumps were nothing more than lumps, that we were ready to be closer. That if the lumps had been something more, we wanted that time to be spent around loved ones.
After the big move, I was laid off from my job and have been living that in-between. Figuring out if I want to take the "easy" route of just getting another job, or choosing to build something of my own that I won't just get tired of in 6 months.
I'm not on the other side just yet, but I do know I'm so much happier in this unknown and uncomfortable phase, than I was just a short 4 months ago❤️
Brooke! What an amazing story. I feel like we’ve shared such similar experiences. Thank you for taking the time to share this. Hearing you’ve found happiness in the unknown makes me smile (and inspires me to persevere too). So nice to connect!
I like to think the "unknown" is the place where most of the ✨magic✨ happens. Looking forward to reading more from you!
Not quite through to the other side, but I share many of your sentiments. You might enjoy my post on finding my voice: https://neurodivergentnotes.substack.com/p/finding-my-voice
I’m at about the same place, coming up on a year since my corporate life was abruptly ended. So many truths here from thinking this is it! To is this it? To this must be it! It’s all a rollercoaster still. But keep at it. There’s something to it for sure. Cheers to that.
The rollercoaster never ends...! But I believe endings always give way to new and better beginnings. All the best of luck with your journey, Elena, and thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment! x
I loved reading this. Our paths are so similar. I'm in the liminal, currently unemployed and navigating so many life changes after being in the marketing world for 15+ years. Today feels hard, but your words are so comforting. Thank-you for this. Waving at you from the U.S. and wishing I was in the U.K. It's a disaster over right now. *sigh*
Hi Shaunté, thank you for taking the time to share your story — sending positivity and strength your way as you navigate a new chapter.
It's comforting to know that all over the world so many of us are searching for a life with more meaning. It doesn't make the liminal any easier. The liminal is crap. But it's a necessary evil. I have all the faith you'll make it through to the other side!
Thanks so much! 💜
A lot of this resonates with me as a corporate bod constantly trying to flex whatever is left of my creative muscles after a few years of grief and over working. I don’t have the guts or desire (right now!) to leave my job but it’s always on my mind that I’d love to write more, do some freelance work and have more control of my life! Really enjoyed your post :)
Oh, Apryl. I'm sorry for what you're working through currently. You know what? It's so totally fine not to have the guts. It took me years to find mine... But the fact that you have a little smoke dancing where a fire might burn, is exciting!
Keep writing, and stay open to cues that it might be the right time for change. But mostly, go easy and take care of yourself! <3
Thank you for reading and for taking the time to share your story xx
I randomly came across your post and it is so inspiring. In May 2023 my husband and I agreed to commit to moving cross country here in the US. A year to the day later I started my current job which is working full time with horses. A complete change from what I was doing before but also a reconnection to my childhood and teen years when I was horse crazy and working with horses regularly, in addition to riding. My husband got a new job too and we moved to a town closer to family. Everything is different from what it was a year ago or two years ago. I loved what you posted here - so motivating.
Grace! Thank you for taking the time to read and leave this lovely comment. I'm so glad you could resonate with the themes in this post. Your new life sounds magical — I grew up riding horses so you're living one of my alternate-reality dreams! In saying that, I know how stressful a move it must have been for you both. I hope reconnecting with your childhood passion is proving positive for you :)
It has been wonderful, thanks Hannah!
Wow, thank you for sharing this. I'm not currently in a singular big change phase, but I feel like I am on the verge of one and just scared to start working towards it. I think that's why your post resonated with me. Thank you for the reminder to dream big and not be afraid of change.