A Personal Reflection on Change and Growth
Change—sometimes we chase it, and other times, it crashes into our lives uninvited. We know it’s inevitable, yet that doesn’t make it any easier. If you’ve ever felt lost in transition, uncertain about the next step, or resistant to an unexpected shift, you’re not alone. I’ve been there too.
A few years ago, I had a career I loved—one that was fulfilling, rewarding, and seemingly stable. Then, without warning, it was gone. Just like that, I found myself standing at a crossroads, unsure of what lay ahead. It felt like being a river suddenly blocked by a landslide, the path ahead no longer clear. What do you do when life forces you to reroute?
I found my answer in nature.
Nature’s Lesson: Change is Inevitable
If you ever doubt that change is a natural part of life, step outside. Seasons shift, rivers carve new paths, and forests regrow after wildfires. Nature never resists transformation—it embraces it.
I often think about the way trees respond to the wind. They don’t fight against it; they bend, adjusting to the force instead of breaking under its pressure. When I lost my job, I wasn’t ready to bend at first. I resisted, grieved what I had lost, and let fear creep in. But then I started to notice something: nature wasn’t standing still, and neither could I.
The Struggle of Change: Uncertainty and Fear
Let’s be honest—change is hard. It’s uncomfortable, unpredictable, and often messy. My biggest challenge wasn’t just losing my job; it was facing the uncertainty that followed. Financially, I wasn’t prepared to retire. Emotionally, I wasn’t ready to let go of my career identity.
So, I did the only thing I could do—I kept moving. At first, it wasn’t about having a grand plan; it was about taking small steps. I spent time in nature to quiet my thoughts. I picked up my art supplies, not with the intention of starting a business, but simply to create. I wrote, I walked, I breathed. Slowly, clarity emerged, just as a river carves through rock over time.
Finding Resilience in Nature
Nature has a way of reminding us that nothing stays the same, and that’s not a bad thing. Some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth exist because of change—glaciers reshaping valleys, volcanoes birthing new islands, rivers cutting through canyons.
One of my favorite places to go when I need perspective is the mountains. I’ve hiked trails that seem endless, climbed paths where I wasn’t sure what lay ahead. But every time, I reached a view I never would have seen if I hadn’t kept moving.
Resilience isn’t about avoiding change; it’s about learning to navigate it, even when the path is uncertain.
The Power of Action: Even Small Steps Matter
When we feel stuck, our instinct is often to wait for clarity before acting. But what if clarity comes because of action?
At first, I had no idea how to move forward. My career had been my identity, and now it was gone. But I did know one thing—I loved creating. My son, seeing how much joy art brought me, encouraged me to share my work. I hesitated, but eventually, I took a small step. I designed a few pieces, set up an online store, and started writing about my journey.
One step led to another, then another. What began as a way to cope became a passion-driven business—Poised Wanderer. Had I waited for a perfect plan, I might still be standing at that crossroads, paralyzed by uncertainty. Instead, action became my bridge to something new.
Lessons from Nature: How to Embrace Change
If you’re facing an unexpected shift in your life, here are a few lessons I’ve learned:
- Resistance makes it harder. Like a river, let yourself flow in a new direction rather than fight the current.
- Small steps create momentum. You don’t need to know the full path—just take the next step.
- Nature is a guide. Spend time outside. Breathe, walk, sit with your thoughts. Answers often come in stillness.
- Change brings opportunity. What feels like an ending might actually be a beginning.
Finding Peace in the Unknown
The truth is, I didn’t expect to be here—building a business, creating art, writing about nature’s wisdom. But looking back, I see the beauty in the journey. I wasn’t meant to stay where I was. Change, though painful, rerouted me to something better.
If you’re in a place of uncertainty right now, know this: you will find your way. Keep moving, even if the steps feel small. Trust that life, like nature, has a way of guiding us exactly where we need to go.
And just like a river, you will carve a new path.
-Shay
Your peace has always been waiting in the wilds beyond the breeze.
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