Living with Change by Guest Author Sophia Perry
"If not now, when?" I'm hanging onto these words, assuring myself I've made the right decision. A million thoughts and pictures of my previous life run through my mind, but I remember a quote I once had read: "The oldest and strongest emotion of mankind is fear, and the oldest and strongest kind of fear is fear of the unknown".
As I looked around my new neighborhood, I realized I knew no one. I felt like I didn't belong here. Two women chatting next door reminded me of Martha and our long conversations. I began to panic, seized with fear. "Will we still be best friends now when I'm in another city?" "Will I find a friend like her here?" Turning a page to a fresh start was terrifying. I tried to just breathe and think positively.
Photo by Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas on Pexels.
Packing and hiring Verified Movers to help me relocate was the easy part. The hard part was yet to come—feeling lonely and nostalgic was inevitable. I had two roads ahead of me: being depressed or diving into the unknown, realizing that this new life represented a new beginning. It’s not easy being a thirty-five-year-old woman, recently divorced and starting a new career, but I chose to let go of what was and make room for what is.
The first thing I needed to do was to get out of my comfort zone and to get to know my neighbors. I felt excited and nervous as I approached those two women.
"Hi, I'm Anna, your new neighbor."
My jittery voice was assuaged by their smiles. "Hi, I'm Jenna and this is Dona. Welcome to our neighborhood! We are just about to have a cup of coffee, would you like to join us? "
"Oh, nice to meet you. Yes, thank you! I just moved here, so a cup of coffee would be great."
I was stunned by their kindness and felt better already. That first coffee in the new city had the taste of a new beginning: it was exciting and scary at the same time. I realized that taking small steps and enjoying these everyday life moments would help me adapt and accept this new life. When I came back home I didn't feel so lonely anymore. Instead I felt hopeful and eager to see where my new life was going to take me. But, surely, I called Martha and told her everything about my new neighbors. The feeling of not belonging started to disappear.
Photo by Binti Malu on Pexels.
Living with change is challenging, but things changed for me when I looked at it as a new beginning and not an ending. I gave myself time and realized that change can be a positive. It helps me to look at life as a movie. With that bird's eye perspective, I remind myself that challenges and changes strengthen me and reveal real potential.
When have you remembered that small things in life are vital and will make big things happen? What helps you trust the natural flow of life?
According to Sophia, why small moments matter: You can achieve “big things” by focusing on small ones.
Bio: Sophia Perry was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and graduated from Trinity College in Washington. She is now a successful realtor in Cleveland, Ohio. She is happily married with three children. Her passions include cooking, writing, and yoga.
Brave Tutu Note: Sophia, thank you for being a Brave Tutu fan and bravely sharing your lovely words with us!
Remember,
Your Brave Tutu (You’re brave, too-too!)
-Take courage in delight. Discover power in small moments.
*My first book is available for pre-order!
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