As moms, we spend a lot of our lives trying to keep things steady for our kids, our partners, and even our extended families. We keep the calendar running smoothly, the snacks stocked, and try to keep up with the laundry. We are the keepers of routines and stability, both of which allow our families to thrive and move forward day to day.
But what happens when we feel the pull for change? Not something as simple as replacing your coffee creamer with oat milk. I mean the big changes —career shifts, moves, lifestyle reboots.
My heart is racing just from writing this, so I understand. Change is scary.
Change can feel uncomfortable. A new haircut takes a few washes to feel good and like yourself. Making changes to your diet or exercise routine isn’t without its own discomforts; sore muscles and hunger pangs at all hours of the day. While some changes are easier to adapt to than others, certain changes and choices carry more weight than others.
I recently left my career after almost 18 years. I put a pause on my daily routine and made a significant decision to no longer work at a place where I have been employed for over a decade. And let me tell you, the decision and the change are scary!
I am fairly type A and enjoy having control over most things in my life. I like routine and knowing what to expect from most of my daily situations. Over the last few years, there has been a nagging whisper in my head that finally became a scream that I could no longer ignore. I needed to make a significant change.
Maybe you’ve heard a similar whisper. Maybe it’s telling you that you’ve outgrown your current situation, that you’re craving something new, or that the life you’ve built needs a refresh.
And if you’re waiting for a sign to take that step, here it is: this is your sign!
Our brains are wired to love predictability, so throwing a life-altering decision into the mix feels like willingly inviting chaos into our already overflowing plates. It’s easy to talk ourselves out of making a change by saying, “It’s not the right time.” “I don’t know how to make this work.” “What if I fail?”
But here’s the thing, our thoughts are just fear in disguise. Growth requires embracing discomfort. A dear friend said to me, “It’s a lot of uncertainty, but growth doesn’t happen when you’re comfortable,” and this has stuck with me.
I had to make a significant change in my life to move forward and grow.
What I have learned in this short period of unemployment is that while the unknown feels terrifying, it’s also where freedom lives. For me, pausing an 18-year career didn’t just create more space in my day, it created more space in my heart and mind. I realized I had been allowing a job to have too much power over me for far too long. In these now quiet moments, I get to explore what brings me joy, how I want to spend my time, and what example I want to set for my kids about following their own paths.
It’s both terrifying and exhilarating to realize that we’re allowed to reinvent ourselves, even in the middle of motherhood.
Not every change has to be a dramatic life overhaul. Sometimes it starts small, like signing up for a new workout class, or simply saying “no” to something that drains you. Those smaller shifts build your courage, so when a big decision comes, you’re more ready to answer.
If you find yourself like me, wrestling with a decision, or if you’ve felt that whisper telling you something in your life needs to change, please know you’re not alone. Fear is normal. Crying many tears is normal! Second-guessing your decisions and regret are all part of it. Discomfort does not mean you made the wrong choice; growth comes with growing pains, so lean in and go with it.
For me, the rewards far exceed the fears of change. I am thankful to have the unwavering support of my husband, family, and amazing friends as I transition into a new routine. Change is scary, but what if you are just one change away from so much joy?
