Tag: #NewBeginnings

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The Turning of the Page

Life at 40

Today is my 40th birthday, and I’ve spent some time reflecting.

Birthdays have always felt like natural moments to pause, take stock, and think about where life has taken me. Turning 40 feels big, not because I’m scared of it, but because it’s an invitation to look back on everything that’s brought me here and dream about where I’m going next.

When I was 18, life felt wide open, like a blank notebook waiting to be filled. I thought I knew where I was headed: a career, a family, stability, and maybe even a little fame. I dreamed big. Becoming a rock star, crafting guitars, or exploring ancient Egypt as an archaeologist. I thought I’d have it all figured out by now.

Turns out life doesn’t follow a script.

Mourning the Dreams That Changed

It’s hard not to look back and think about the “what-ifs.” At 18, I had this vision of who I would be and what my life would look like. I thought I’d be financially stable, with a family and a career that made me proud. Instead, I moved 1,000 miles away from everything I knew to ultimately live with a man. That decision had a bigger impact on me and my approach to life than I ever could have imagined at the time. I left school and those passions behind.

I entered the workforce right away, and somewhere along the way, I stopped dreaming altogether. Survival replaced ambition. Work replaced wonder. It took years to move back home and even longer to rediscover myself as someone with passions and goals beyond just getting through the day.

Looking back, I’ve realized it’s okay to mourn those dreams that didn’t come to life. Mourning doesn’t mean regret. It just means acknowledging the path I thought I’d walk and honoring the person I thought I’d be.

Learning to Bloom in My Own Time

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about myself, it’s that I take my time. I’m not someone who rushes into anything, whether it’s finding my passion, reconnecting with old friends, or making big life changes.

For a long time, I thought that made me slow, maybe even lazy. Now I see it for what it is: my rhythm. It may take me longer to bloom, but the results are uniquely mine.

Over the years, I’ve built a life full of diversity and richness. From roller derby and blogging to baking cakes and starting my own ventures, I’ve created a life that’s vibrant and uniquely me. I’ve maintained a 35-year friendship with my best friend, who I’ve reconnected with more deeply in the past year.

No, it’s not the life I envisioned at 18. But it’s one I’ve worked hard for, and I’m proud of it.

Dreaming Ahead

Forty doesn’t feel like an ending. It feels like a new beginning. For the first time in years, I’m letting myself dream again. Not just about what could have been, but about what can still be.

Right now, I’m focused on my health. I’m working hard to lose weight, not just for how I look but for how I feel. I’m building my ventures into something I can be proud of, chasing financial stability, and carving out a future that feels more intentional.

There’s something freeing about letting go of the pressure to have it all figured out by a certain age. I’ve realized there’s no finish line for success. Just a series of chapters, each one building on the last.

A Message for You

If you’re reading this and feeling like life didn’t turn out the way you thought it would, I want to remind you: that’s okay. Plans change. People change. And it’s never too late to rewrite your story.

Here are a few things that have helped me make peace with where I am:

  • Stop comparing your timeline to others. There’s no “right” time to achieve your dreams. You’re not behind. You’re on your own path.
  • Celebrate what you’ve built. Even if it’s not what you imagined, it’s yours.
  • Let go of the idea that you’re too late. You’re not. It’s always the right time to start dreaming again.

Turning the Page

If 18-year-old me could see me now, I think she’d be surprised. Maybe even a little disappointed. But I also think she’d be proud of the person I’ve become. Proud of the resilience, the growth, and the way I’ve learned to find joy in the unexpected.

Forty isn’t the end of the road. It’s just another chapter. And I’m excited to see what’s next.

If you’re standing at your own milestone, I hope you know this: you’re not alone. It’s okay to mourn the dreams that didn’t happen, but don’t forget to dream forward. There’s still time to bloom.

Here’s to turning the page.

xoxo
-S

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The Evolution of Self: Letting Go of Old Dreams to Make Room for the New

We all grow up with dreams and ideals, those shining visions of who we thought we’d become. We’re told to chase them relentlessly, to never give up. But what happens when the dreams that once fueled our every move no longer fit? What if the person we’ve become no longer aligns with the person we thought we would be? It’s a question that can leave us feeling unmoored, teetering between the safety of familiarity and the unknown promise of something new.

Letting go of old dreams isn’t easy. It can feel like betraying a part of ourselves, as if abandoning a loyal friend who’s been with us through thick and thin. But there’s a bittersweet beauty in this act of release, a necessary step in making room for what’s to come. It’s not about giving up; it’s about evolving.

The Gentle Art of Letting Go

There’s a quiet strength in acknowledging that the dreams we once held may no longer serve us. Maybe it’s the career we envisioned, the relationship we thought would last forever, or the person we imagined we’d be by now. These dreams were our compass, guiding us through the maze of life. But as we navigate the winding paths, we change. Our priorities shift, our values evolve, and the things that once sparked joy may no longer do so.

It’s okay to change. It’s okay to admit that you’re not the person you thought you’d be. It’s okay to say goodbye to the old dreams that no longer resonate with your heart. This isn’t a failure; it’s a sign of growth. Holding on too tightly to outdated visions can stifle your progress, trapping you in a past version of yourself.

The Power of Reinvention

Reinvention is an art, one that requires courage and vulnerability. It’s about looking at where you are now, with all your experiences, lessons, and scars, and deciding to build something new. Maybe the dream was to be a lawyer, but now you find your passion lies in teaching. Maybe you thought you’d settle in one place, but now you yearn to explore the world. The beauty of life is that it’s fluid, not fixed. You have the power to redefine your path at any moment.

Letting go of an old dream doesn’t mean it wasn’t valuable. It simply means it served its purpose. Perhaps it taught you discipline, resilience, or a deeper understanding of yourself. These lessons are the foundation upon which you can build new dreams, more aligned with the person you’ve become.

Making Room for the New

Letting go is an act of faith. It’s trusting that by releasing what no longer serves you, you create space for something greater. It’s the belief that there are new dreams waiting to be discovered, ones that will ignite your passion and align with your true self. This process requires self-compassion. It’s important to honor the person you were and the dreams you once held, but also to give yourself permission to grow beyond them.

Imagine your life as a garden. The old dreams are like plants that have run their course. They were beautiful, but now they’re withering. By clearing them out, you make room for new seeds to be planted, seeds that will grow into something even more magnificent. This cycle of growth and renewal is natural and necessary.

Finding Empowerment in Change

There’s immense empowerment in welcoming change. It’s a declaration that you are not bound by your past decisions, that you have the freedom to evolve and redefine your path. It’s recognizing that your worth is not tied to the fulfillment of a specific dream but to the courage you show in adapting to life’s changes.

Change is not a sign of weakness but of strength. It takes courage to admit that you want something different, to step away from what’s familiar and venture into the unknown. But with this courage comes the potential for growth, for discovering new passions and creating a life that truly resonates with who you are now.

Moving Forward with Grace

As you move forward, let go of any guilt or regret associated with changing your path. Remember that life is a journey, not a destination. The dreams you had were stepping stones, each leading you to where you are now. By welcoming change, you’re honoring the process of becoming, of continuously evolving into the best version of yourself.

It’s okay to outgrow your old dreams. It’s okay to let them go with gratitude, knowing they were part of your journey but not the final destination. By doing so, you open yourself up to new possibilities, to dreams that align with the person you are today. This isn’t a sad ending but a beautiful new beginning, full of potential and promise.

The Strength in Your Evolution

Letting go of old dreams is a brave and necessary act of self-love. It’s an acknowledgment that you are constantly evolving and that your dreams should evolve with you. By releasing what no longer serves you, you make room for new dreams that align with your true self, dreams that will lead you to even greater heights. This process isn’t about abandoning who you were; it’s about accepting who you’re becoming.

So, as you stand at the crossroads of who you were and who you are becoming, take a deep breath. Trust in the process. Let go of what no longer serves you, and step forward into the unknown with confidence and grace. Your new dreams are waiting, and they are magnificent.

xoxo
-S