Hey y’all, welcome back!
Let me ask you something.
Have you ever known deep down that it was time for something new, but you kept standing at the door of something old like somebody was coming back to let you in?
Listen, sometimes the hardest part about unlocking a new chapter isn’t finding the key.
It’s being willing to stop trying to get back into the old one.
Whew. Let that sit for a minute.
We will pray for growth, ask for new opportunities, say we want something different, and then try to drag every old habit, relationship, mindset, expectation, and version of ourselves right into the next season.
It doesn’t work like that.
At some point, you have to accept that where you’re going may require a version of you that you haven’t met yet.
And honestly?
That can be scary.
Sometimes the New Chapter Doesn’t Look Like a Blessing at First
We love new beginnings when they show up looking like something we prayed for.
New job? Let’s go!
New business? Absolutely!
More money? Yes, please!
New relationship? Okay!
New opportunity? Sign me up!
But what about when the new chapter begins with an ending?
What happens when the transition comes through disappointment?
When somebody walks away?
When the business idea doesn’t work?
When the promotion doesn’t happen?
When you’ve outgrown something you thought would be part of your life forever?
When you’re standing there saying:
“Okay, God. I trust You, but I’m going to need a little more information.”
Yeah. That part.
But I’ve learned something about life.
Not everything that ends in your life is a loss. Sometimes it’s clearance.
Sometimes God is making room.
Room for different opportunities.
Room for better relationships.
Room for bigger thinking.
Room for greater discipline.
Room for peace.
And sometimes, He’s simply making room for you to become who you’re supposed to be next.
You’re Allowed to Outgrow Who You Used to Be
Please hear me when I say this:
You are allowed to change.
You can want something different at 40 than you wanted at 25.
You can change careers.
Get serious about your health.
Start the business.
Go back to school.
Get the certification.
Write the book.
Repair your finances.
Strengthen your marriage.
Leave unhealthy relationships behind.
Reconnect with your faith.
Create boundaries.
Start over.
Build wealth.
Protect your peace.
You do not have to remain the same person simply because that’s the version of you everybody else is familiar with.
And please don’t shrink yourself to make other people comfortable.
The person you used to be served a purpose.
Respect that version of yourself.
Learn from that person.
Thank them for surviving what they survived.
Then keep moving.
Stop Calling Yourself Behind
This one is for somebody.
Stop telling yourself you’re behind.
Behind who?
Social media?
Your coworkers?
Your friends?
The person you graduated with?
The couple with the beautiful pictures online?
The entrepreneur posting revenue screenshots?
Come on now.
You have been living a whole LIFE.
Working.
Raising families.
Building careers.
Trying businesses.
Loving people.
Losing people.
Taking care of people.
Healing.
Learning.
Making mistakes.
Starting over.
Getting your heart broken.
Finding yourself again.
Growing spiritually.
Surviving things you don’t even talk about.
None of that means you’re behind.
It means you’ve been becoming.
Your timeline doesn’t have to look like anybody else’s.
Sometimes what feels like a delay is actually where you’re developing the wisdom, discipline, discernment, patience, experience and confidence you’re going to need for what’s next.
Because getting the opportunity is one thing.
Being prepared to manage it is something completely different.
Maybe “What’s Next?” Isn’t the Right Question
For years, we ask:
“What’s next for me?”
But I’m learning that there’s a better question:
“Who do I need to become for what’s next?”
Now THAT question will make you uncomfortable.
Because I can pray for financial freedom, but am I developing the discipline to manage money differently?
I can pray for a successful business, but am I willing to become consistent when nobody is clapping?
I can pray for a healthy relationship, but am I becoming a healthier partner?
I can pray for leadership opportunities, but am I willing to accept the responsibility that comes with leadership?
I can ask God to enlarge my territory, but am I preparing myself to manage more territory?
Sometimes we’re begging God to change the circumstances when He’s working on changing us.
The open door isn’t always the miracle.
Sometimes becoming the person capable of walking through it is the miracle.
Take the Lesson, but Leave the Luggage
Now listen.
We are NOT carrying everything into this next chapter.
Nope.
Bring the wisdom. Leave the bitterness.
Bring the lesson. Leave the resentment.
Bring the discernment. Leave the fear.
Bring the confidence. Leave the need to prove yourself.
Bring the experience. Leave the embarrassment.
Bring the memories. Leave the obligation to keep living in them.
Everything you’ve experienced taught you something.
But everything you’ve experienced does not deserve permanent residence in your life.
Some experiences made you stronger.
Some humbled you.
Some broke your heart.
Some taught you exactly what you never wanted to experience again.
And some revealed strength you didn’t even know you had.
So don’t be ashamed of your previous chapters.
Just don’t spend the rest of your life rereading them while God is handing you a blank page.
Unlock the Door
Maybe your next chapter doesn’t begin with some huge life-changing moment.
Maybe it starts with one decision.
One conversation.
One application.
One workout.
One prayer.
One business idea.
One therapy appointment.
One financial decision.
One boundary.
One apology.
One “no.”
One courageous “yes.”
One moment where you finally decide:
I’m not going to spend the rest of my life allowing what happened in the last chapter to determine what happens in the next one.
That’s where change starts.
Sometimes quietly.
No announcement.
No social media post.
No applause.
Just you making a decision within yourself:
I’m not going backwards.
You’re Not Starting Over
This might be my favorite part.
When you step into a new chapter, it can feel like you’re starting from scratch.
You’re not.
You’re starting from experience.
There’s a huge difference.
You’re bringing every lesson with you.
Every win.
Every mistake.
Every heartbreak.
Every rejection.
Every accomplishment.
Every setback.
Every closed door.
Every comeback.
Every prayer that got answered.
And even the ones that didn’t get answered the way you expected.
It all came with you.
You’re wiser now.
You’re stronger now.
Hopefully you’re a little more humble too, because life has a funny way of handling that! 😂
But most importantly, you’re still here.
That means your story isn’t finished.
So Here’s Your Reminder
If you’re standing somewhere between what was and what’s next, don’t panic.
You’re not necessarily lost.
You may simply be transitioning.
If your old life doesn’t fit anymore, don’t force it.
If your old mindset can’t support your new vision, change it.
If certain relationships can’t grow with you, love people without abandoning yourself.
If the door closed, stop beating on it.
And if God put another key in your hand?
Try another door.
This next chapter may require courage.
Discipline.
Forgiveness.
Accountability.
Healing.
Patience.
Faith.
And yes, it may require doing something you’ve never done before.
But that’s the beauty of becoming.
You’re discovering that there is still more inside of you.
More to learn.
More to give.
More to build.
More to experience.
More people to impact.
More joy to find.
More purpose to fulfill.
So take a deep breath.
Say your prayer.
Get yourself together.
Grab that key.
And turn the lock.
You’ve spent enough time trying to figure out why certain doors closed.
Maybe it’s time to see what’s behind the one that’s opening.
The page has turned.
Let it.
And whatever you do…
Don’t be so busy mourning an old chapter that you miss the beauty of the new one being written.
Besides, your face will permanently sag, and who wants that?
Your story isn’t over.
You’re just turning the page. 🔑
So, turn it unapologetically!
Joy Junkie!
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