In the Season of Becoming
I’ve been thinking about transition a lot lately — with the changing seasons, my kids becoming licensed drivers, and as we approach the year mark of when I experienced massive corporate layoffs.
Transition is a funny thing. No matter what it is, there’s so much anticipation of the unknown and so much hope for what could be. There’s also fear — fear of letting go of an old version of yourself, not knowing who or what you’ll become on the other side.
My husband and I went out to dinner last weekend in hopes of reconnecting after a few busy months that never seem to slow down. As we were driving over to eat at Brigitte (shout out to that incredible gem and all of the people who make that place as wonderful as it is), I noticed the date and realized it was almost exactly one year since the day I got the call that I was being laid off.
I began to reflect on the last year, and as we pulled up, we noticed writing in the sky (I hope you got a chance to see it too). When I looked up, it said “I am forever grateful.” It almost felt like a nod from the universe — a reminder of just how grateful I am for the setbacks that turned into comebacks, and for the transitions that quite literally change your entire life.
A few days later, I was scrolling Instagram and came across one of my favorite accounts, Sailing with Phoenix (@sailing_with_phoenix). It’s run by a guy named Oliver who was diagnosed with a rare disease that shook him up. He ended up quitting his corporate job, cashing out his 401(k) to buy a sailboat and sailed around the world with his cat, Phoenix.
His journey has been absolutely heartwarming and inspiring, and when I found his account, I felt such a connection and similarity to him — especially the transition he was feeling leaving his corporate job to follow a dream. Mine wasn’t to sail the world with my cat (although… maybe it should be!), but rather to open The Reform Room and leave corporate life behind — even though it was a huge source of comfort for me.
I came across his recent post and he said:
“To you, the dreamer. The one reading this and thinking, why not me. The limits you carry are not yours. They were planted by the world. By people who gave up too soon. By comfort dressed as wisdom. By fear disguised as logic.
They told you to stay safe, to be realistic.
They told you to climb ladders instead of mountains.
Forget the ladder. Climb the mountain.
Chase your dream at all costs. Stoke the fire. Feed it with your fear. Feed it with your doubt. Feed it with every reason you think you can't. Burn the map. Burn the rules. Burn the expectations. Keep burning until there is nothing left but belief.”
And I really felt that to my core.
So, in this season of transition — whatever you’re aspiring to be and wherever you’re headed next — just remember that you have one life. Just one. Run after your dreams. Don’t wait.
All my love,
Jess
