Embracing Change

Spring is officially here. We had what I hope is our last blizzard (and snow day) of this season. The equinox is a reminder that life is an endless cycle of change—dark to light, winter to spring, even time changes as we spring forward.

Transitions can be welcomed or unexpected and challenge us to release what was and step into what’s next. They can stir up many emotions: excitement, uncertainty, fear, hope, and sometimes, resistance.

I was thinking about this when I had an unexpected experience. I inquired into a public speaking masterclass. I reached out as a student, ready to learn and grow, only to have the instructor ask if I’d help form the class. WHOA. It caught me off guard. I am here to be the student. Am I qualified to be the teacher? The truth, I realized, is that transitions often call us to be both. We can straddle that line as we move from one station in life to another.

Life does this to us constantly - it invites us, pushes us, and sometimes drags us into a new season before we are ready. Opportunities for advancement in the workplace, aging parents, life-changing medical diagnoses, can all be dropped in our laps unexpectedly.

For women who set high bars for themselves—who are used to knowing the answers, feeling competent, and being prepared—transitions can feel especially uncomfortable. The in-between moments, where we don’t yet have mastery, can trigger self-doubt. But what if we saw those moments as an opportunity for growth and to move into something bigger? If you've ever felt off balance as you navigate a change, here are some things to consider as you move through the uncertainty.

1. Let Yourself Be In-Between

   
   

   Growth requires a willingness to step into the unknown. I've shared with you in the past how much I dislike being a beginner, but navigating change demands it. Sometimes, we don't know what's next. It's okay to be the in-between. Even when you’re experienced, even when you think you should already have it figured out—there’s always more to learn. What can you learn from the situation? How can you navigate the situation with the tools you already have?

2. Honor the Discomfort, Whatever You're Feeling

   
   

   Transitions stretch us. They ask us to loosen our grip on certainty. And that can feel unsettling. But discomfort doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong—it means you’re growing. For women who hold themselves to high standards, it’s easy to mistake the awkwardness of change for failure. But what if you welcomed the unease as a sign you’re on the right track?

Unfortunately, some transitions bring grief, fear, or exhaustion. If you're facing a hard transition, give yourself permission to feel the weight of it.

3. Step Into the Invitation

   
   

   Every transition holds an invitation: to step up, step back, or step differently. Sometimes, others see our potential before we do. Sometimes, life nudges us toward a path we hadn’t considered. Other times, life hands us a turd sandwich and we wonder what the heck just happened. No matter the circumstance, remember this...even if this transition feels difficult, you will adapt. This season, like all of them, will pass. You are more capable than you know.

As spring unfolds, I'd love for you to reflect on your own transitions. Where are you being called to grow? What season are you stepping into? Are you stepping into something new? Facing an unexpected shift? And how can you move through it with both courage and grace? Wherever you are, know that you are not alone.

If this message resonates with you, I’d love to hear what transition you’re navigating right now. And if you know someone who might need to hear this, would you share it with them? Sometimes, a simple reflection can be the encouragement someone else needs to step into their next season.