It’s not often I take on contributors or put up guest posts. In fact, I think I have maybe once in the over 5 years I’ve had this blog. However, when I read Beth’s post, I knew it was something I wanted to share with my readers. Beth Levine is a corporate gal by day, who also owns her own yoga accessories company, and a freelance lifestyle writer by night (she contributes to Houstonia, Local Magazine, and My Red Glasses). She most recently went through a very big (and rather difficult) life change. However, she hasn’t let it define her. In fact, she pushed through, and she truly is turning her ‘mess into her message.’ The thing with change is that it can be a great thing or it can be a horrible thing, depending on how you look at it. Keep on reading as Beth shares her own thoughts on change, as well as thoughts from others in her life. Take it away Beth!
As every new year starts, we always hear a new buzzword springing forth from people’s lips: something that becomes part of our everyday vernacular throughout the year that encapsulates all the things we want the new year to bring. Well, the new year is officially here, so here we go…the buzzword for 2017 is (drum roll please!)…
CHANGE
Yep. There it is. It might look like such a simple word, but it’s not. Change can mean so many things to so many people. It can be an action, a thought, an emotion; it can be static, it can be fluid. When I started writing this piece, I was planning on approaching the concept of change simply as it pertained to me, but as my approach changed (see what I did there!), so did this piece.
For me, 2017 started off with a major personal life change, as I divorced my now ex-husband just last week. I have done a lot of soul searching and thinking on how to embrace this change, to run with it; instead of letting it run me. Thar’s kind of the crux of change, isn’t it? The resistance to the unfamiliar, the fear of the unknown. Whether it be your personal life or career, change is hard on people. So, let’s “change” that.
To start changing our perspective, let’s look at the positives that come from not doing business (and that’s a euphemism people) as usual. Yes, there is a reason we cling to the usual. It usually comes along with a sense of comfort that makes it easy for us to become complacent, and while that is not a bad thing (it got you this far, right?), if you look at the world even down to its smallest atom, change is what spurs the universe to evolve.
Sometimes it’s painful, sometimes it’s scary, but with every change comes a new opportunity, a new door open for you to walk through and claim as your own.
Just this time last year, I was finally getting back into writing after an embarrassingly long hiatus. This year, I have decided to finally take the leap to write my own blog entries for a local publication, baring my soul with the hopes of helping others. Definitely not business as usual. Am I scared? Hell, yeah. But only by breaking free of the constraints we put on ourselves, and attempting to try something new, to deviate from whatever is “our usual”, do we give ourselves the chance to not just adapt to new situations, but evolve with them, own them, and make something better.
This is not something we do alone. If we are lucky, we have a network of cohorts both personally and professionally that we change and grow with. For me, I have a great network of women from their 20’s to their 60’s in my arsenal (women lifting other women up is what true sisterhood is about and these women rock it) and since this forecast of change likely applies to us all for 2017, I thought I would share with you what embracing it means to some of them.
Rebekah Flores, Mid 20’s. Single Mom. Student. Freelance Photographer & Graphic Designer.
Having experienced a speedy & traumatic change at such an early age in my past, that ended up being one of the biggest blessings in my life (the birth of my son). I can say that change is something to be viewed as exciting. It can force us to challenge ourselves and try to evolve to a higher level. Embracing this is what 2017 is about for me.
Jamie Smith, 30’s. Married. Social Media Maven.
Change is met with so much resistance, yet it is a part of life. Don’t fight it, but rather embrace it. It can be your lifelong friend if you let it and take you on a great ride to incredible places.
Andrea Afra, 30’s. Mom. Wife. Writer. Succulent Wrangler.
I’ve changed more in the last 2 years than the last 2 decades. Starting with therapy, which led to more self-confidence, soon followed by a career change. While I am not sure where this change in perspective will take me, I am happier than ever & finally feel like I’m closing in on my place/my calling in the world.
Robin Shobin, Almost 40! Entrepreneur. Founder of Charlotte’s Book. Sister. Wife. Friend.
Change to me is the smart woman’s result of learning what makes you happy and what makes you unhappy. It’s not something you do overnight or at the start of the year. It’s something you do every day, as you learn more and more about what makes you, the best you. Sometimes it’s easier said than done. But it can be as easy as taking 10 minutes a day to meditate or as hard as changing careers. To me change is constantly learning and then actually taking action.
Itzel Jaramillo, 40’s. Single Mom. Bilingual Teacher. Traveler. Yogi.
For me, change is vital. As a teacher and a mother, I hope to instill that embracing change and choosing to follow your own path, even if it is different than everyone else’s, is part of life. Don’t be boxed in by anyone else’s “usual”. Make your own usual and let that drive be your passion to succeed.
Jessica Fasquelle, 60’s. Mom. Grandmother. Sister. Friend.
Some change happens constantly, softly, almost silently; such change smooths our rough edges & continuously gives us the finishing touches to what we are, today. Some change can happen in the blink of an eye and alter us almost immediately; such a change is the one that challenges us: it can break us or make us stronger; the choice is within each of us. I chose to grow stronger, to be a survivor like the women in my family before me, and transform change into something positive.
Well, there you have it. After reading this, hopefully we have stirred something deep inside of you all as well. 2017 is your year. Do not be afraid to take chances, make your own rules, and take change by the reigns!
Follow Beth on Facebook and Instagram.
Photo by Rebekah Flores