Embracing Change: Finding Joy in New Beginnings

The Art of Letting Go

Lately, life has been handing me endings like party favors I never asked for. My aunt passed away. The designer who gave me my first shot at Fashion Week also left this world. And now, my insurance plan is gasping for air. It feels like the universe is obsessed with teaching me the same theme on repeat: chapters close, cycles end, and sometimes all you can do is sit with it.

The truth? I’ve been guilty of living in the rearview mirror—grudges, wounds, and regrets taking up way too much mental real estate. For months, I’ve been stuck in my turtle shell, convinced it was safer to hide than risk getting hurt again.

A Journey Back to Maine

When I first moved back to Maine, I was carrying the weight of a toxic relationship, a broken friend group, and a city that left me bruised in more ways than one. I’d been abandoned in unsafe situations, cut down by people I trusted, and left with a backlog of scars I didn’t know how to process. Maine became my rehab. I transformed my parents’ spare rooms into little pockets of survival: a bedroom/studio upstairs, a drag/craft/sewing room downstairs. But it took me a full year to even want to step outside and meet people again.

And when I finally did, Portland and Boston turned out to be cousins. Same faces, same dynamics, just different fonts. The triggers showed up faster than I could dodge them. I won’t lie—I didn’t always handle it gracefully. Overwhelm and overstimulation often won.

Healing Through Coexistence

But the more I sat with it, the more I realized healing isn’t about outrunning your past. It’s about finding ways to coexist with it. Those old wounds don’t vanish—they soften. They remind you of what you’ve survived, and sometimes that reminder is the exact thing you need to stop shrinking yourself.

So here’s the shift: I’ve decided to romanticize being a homebody. Call it Hobbit Mode. Call it Herb Witch Mode. Whatever it is, I’m learning to be grateful for repetition instead of resenting it. To see stability not as boring, but as a blessing. There’s something powerful about making your own world beautiful, even if it’s just watering the same plants or lighting the same candle every night.

A Fresh Start This October

Heading into October, my goal is simple: dust, declutter, decobweb (yes, that’s a word now). I want to reclaim my space and my mindset. I want to take care of myself again—not in the hiding, shell-shocked way I did before—but in a way that still allows me to step outside and smell the roses.

Because if there’s one thing these endings have taught me, it’s that nothing is guaranteed. People you love, opportunities you thought were forever, even the safety nets you depend on—they can vanish in a heartbeat. So why waste another second letting the past dictate how much joy I allow myself to feel?

The Power of New Beginnings

Life ends, cycles close, and chapters wrap up. But that just means there’s always room to start fresh. It’s an invitation to embrace change and to welcome new experiences. I’ve learned that every ending is a prelude to a new beginning, a chance to rewrite my story.

Finding Joy in the Everyday

In this journey, I’ve discovered that joy can be found in the simplest of things. Whether it’s sipping coffee while watching the sunrise or indulging in a guilty pleasure TV show, these moments matter. They remind me that life is about balance—between the highs and lows, the chaos and calm.

Building a Supportive Community

As I step out of my comfort zone, I’m also learning the importance of surrounding myself with supportive people. It’s vital to have a network of friends and mentors who uplift and inspire. They remind me that I’m not alone in this journey and that we all face our own battles.

Embracing Change with Open Arms

So, here’s to embracing change with open arms. I’m ready to let go of the past and step into the future with confidence. I’ll take the lessons learned and use them as stepping stones toward a brighter tomorrow.

In this process, I’ve come to appreciate the phrase “life is a journey.” It’s not just a cliché; it’s a reminder that every step, every stumble, and every triumph is part of my unique story.

Conclusion: The Beauty of New Chapters

As I reflect on my journey, I realize that each ending has brought me closer to understanding myself. I’m learning to celebrate the beauty of new chapters, even when they come wrapped in uncertainty. Life may throw curveballs, but I’m ready to catch them and turn them into something beautiful.

So, here’s to new beginnings, to finding joy in the everyday, and to embracing change with a sassy smile. After all, life is too short to dwell on the past. Let’s make the most of every moment and create a future that truly shines!