Spring

When I read a book or watch a TV show, I’m excited to get to a new chapter. There’s more to discover, more to experience, and more to understand. So why are new chapters in life so scary to me when the exact same can be said? It’s hard for me to let go and move on, but I’m slowly progressing into a new chapter of my life. I’m excited and scared about it, but it feels right. I miss my previous chapter, but it’ll always be part of me. If I could go back though, I wouldn’t. That’s not my place anymore.

I find the cycles of life so amazing. Everywhere you look there are cycles. The sun rising and setting, monthly phases of the moon, seasons of the year, and life and death. Looking at my own life, I start to see cycles too. Not just obvious cycles (like meals, exercise, and sleep), but mental cycles too. My interests, emotions, and motivations often ebb and flow. It’s quietly reassuring knowing that life self regulates this way without much effort. If I’m feeling unmotivated, I know I’ll eventually feel motivated again. This is definitely an exercise in trust that I’ve had to learn as well. Sometimes only by letting go will the cycle continue.

But how does this relate to new chapters? Changing the cycles and experiencing new things. I don’t know the answer. Perhaps these cycles, being self-perpetuating, make it harder to break out, like trying to free yourself from a gravitational pull. As I said earlier, there’s comfort in cycles. But there’s no growth in comfort and no comfort in growth.

I do think there are windows that make transitioning into new chapters emotionally easier. Like two sine waves oscillating at different frequencies, eventually they align for a short period, making the switch with minimal effort. Although transitions may not always be easy and natural, I do believe consistent repetition has a compounding effect. I often say that small consistent steps will take you very far. Making changes is a lot easier for me when they’re small, so that is what I’m trying to do now!

Ultimately, we’re all on our own journey. I think it’s important to celebrate the windows where our frequencies temporarily align, whether it’s one hour or a decade or more. Let’s enjoy those uniquely shared experiences.