You’re Not Too Old to Begin Again

Let’s be honest—change is hard. Even when we prepare for it for years. Even when we tell ourselves we’re ready.

Whether it’s a quiet house, a changing relationship with your adult children, or just waking up and realizing you’re no longer needed in the same way... it can feel like the ground underneath you has shifted. And not in a gentle, “new season” kind of way—but in a free-falling, what now? kind of way.

Here’s the truth:
Change isn’t the enemy. Resisting it is.

When we grip the past too tightly, we lose the chance to grow into what’s next. But when we learn to embrace change, even with shaky hands, we begin to find possibility. Purpose. Power.

That’s the art of it.

It’s not about pretending to love change. Or pushing yourself to “move on” before you're ready.
It’s about meeting yourself where you are—with compassion.

And then choosing, day by day, to grow forward anyway.

So how do you do that?

Here’s what I’ve learned:

1. Tell the Truth

Name what you’re feeling. Really name it. Grief? Anger? Relief? Loneliness? There’s room for all of it. In my THRIVE framework, Truth is the first step—because we can’t grow through what we won’t admit to. I find that journaling about the change can really help you get to the root of what you are feeling. Sometimes we think in more general terms like "sad" or "worried" but if you journal around how you are feeling about this big life change, you can go even deeper.

2. Let Go of the Timeline

There’s no “should” when it comes to your healing or your purpose. You’re not late. You’re right on time. The timeline that worked for your kids, your spouse, your best friend? That’s theirs. You get to create your own.

Release the pressure to reinvent yourself overnight. Growth isn't linear—it’s layered. And often, the most important shifts happen quietly, beneath the surface. Give yourself grace. You are unfolding at exactly the pace you need.

3. Reimagine Your Identity

You’re not just a mom. You never were.
You are wise. Capable. Multi-dimensional. This is your chance to rediscover parts of you that may have been on hold while you were raising a family.
Who do you want to be now?

This chapter invites you to explore without judgment.
What lights you up? What did you love before life got busy?
You don’t need to have all the answers. You just need the courage to start asking the questions.

4. Get Curious, Not Critical

When change comes, our inner critic likes to get loud.
“You should’ve planned for this.”
“You’re too old to start over.”
“That ship has sailed.”

That voice? It’s scared. But you don’t have to let it run the show. Instead, ask:

What might this season be here to teach me?
What if this is the doorway to something beautiful?

In the book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, author Susan Jeffers reminds us that fear doesn’t go away just because we wait. It fades when we take action. Confidence doesn’t come first—courage does.

That’s the magic: you don’t have to be fearless to begin. You just have to be willing to feel the fear… and do it anyway.

5. Start Small, but Start

Don’t wait until you have it all figured out. Sign up for the class! Say yes to the walk! Write the first paragraph! Message the friend!

Momentum builds confidence. And confidence builds courage.

Here’s what I want you to remember:

Change isn’t just something to survive—it’s something to shape.
You’re allowed to grieve and grow at the same time.
You’re allowed to feel scared and still take the next brave step.

Because the nest may be empty, but your life can be full.