Change is a word that a lot of us dislike. When we hear it, we often run or brace ourselves for the worst, even though it’s necessary for our growth. If I’ve learned anything over the past couple months, though, it’s that change is an essential part of life. After all, without change, we can’t improve ourselves.
When I was driving the other day, I took a route that I haven’t taken in a little while. The route brought me up to the exit near where I used to work. As I drove in the opposite direction of my old workplace, so many memories flooded my mind — including one of my last memories from that job.
I didn’t even know then that it would be my last day there. I didn’t realize that it would be the last time I saw the coworkers whom I grew to love over the years.
If I did know that my time at that job would end, I probably would have handled the situation a bit differently.
That day, I received heartbreaking news that would forever change that job for me. I knew that it was finally time to walk away.
Before this, I constantly battled between my head and my heart. I didn’t necessarily want to leave this workplace because I loved it, but that year, so much changed. I found myself miserable, and some days, I didn’t even want to go into work. Even worse, I was often upset and angry, and I felt like I no longer belonged there. Furthermore, I outgrew the position and I needed a reason to leave — even if I didn’t want to admit it. This devastating news gave me the chance to leave without looking back.
So I left. I spent the summer applying for jobs, praying that I would find a position that I loved but also worrying that I would have to start all over again, meet new people, and form new relationships. It was already difficult to put myself out there to begin with. Now I had to do it all by myself, and that scared me.
But I ended up with a new job, and my life changed for the better. I found myself enjoying work and feeling eager for each new day again. I loved my coworkers and enjoyed feeling like I found a place where I belonged. Soon I realized that I would have never felt so happy at work if I hadn’t had the push that I needed to leave my old job.
The hard thing about change is the fact that we don’t know what it’s going to bring. It can sometimes be awful, but it can also make life amazing again.
I remember sitting in my car on the last day at my previous job, heartbroken and unsure of what to do next. How was I ever going to recover from this? What was I going to do? I didn’t understand this then, but now, I realize that I needed that painful change to bring me to where I am now. Although I once felt defeat and uncertainty, that pain was essential for me to grow as a person. I’ll forever be grateful for that heartbreaking moment that led me to the job that I love.
So next time you experience a big change in your life, allow yourself to panic, but also understand that change often can bring you to bigger and better things. While those changes might not make sense right away, they may make more sense later on. Don’t let change break you — it might actually improve your life in the long run.
Featured Photo by Nadine Rupprecht on Unsplash.
I recall sitting in my car on my final day at my prior work, heartbroken and confused of what to do next.