In life, there are many moments one may stop and wonder- am I here because it is comfortable, or because it is where I genuinely want to be? We all can admit that more than a time or two we have resorted to staying in our comfort zone for far too long, or longer than we realized we should have been there, but why is that? When we think of our comfort zone, what is it that keeps us there so long? Is it the safety and security that comes from it? The reassurance that failure is less likely? The comfortability in knowing what is expected and what should be happening? The people or experiences that come with it? Some may argue all of these are reasons to stay in that safe space- whether it be a job, relationship, city; the list goes on and on. While society tends to believe that within our comfort zone comes security and confidence, what happens when that zone changes? Where do you go when redirection is pushed upon you, and seemingly everything you knew is suddenly changing? That is when the power and beauty comes from the redirection.
Consider this: A job or relationship that you thought would last forever suddenly and unexpectedly ends. This was a place of safety, security, confidence, and comfort. While the initial shock of the loss may be a devastating challenge, there is so much to gain from it. It may initially seem that your entire world is falling apart and that the punches keep coming your way, but the important thing is to lean on those closest to you and realize there is something better out there for you. You may find yourself scrambling to pick up the pieces and start over, but once the initial shock wears off, you are open to a new world of possibilities. Think about all the good that can come from this change. You may have more time to explore your favorite hobbies or other career paths that you did not have time for before. You may be able to spend more time with loved ones, explore new places, or focus on yourself and rediscover what sparks joy within you. These opportunities might never have been possible had this loss of comfort not presented itself. This is the beauty of redirection.
I was recently let go from a job that I absolutely loved. I was blindsided by this change, but after the initial heartache, I was able to turn it into an opportunity to find out what I actually want to do with my career moving forward. While my intuition had been telling me something was wrong, I did not listen to that voice because I was comfortable where I was. Looking back, I was nowhere near as comfortable as I thought, and I wanted to be out of there. With this loss, I was granted the freedom to spend as much time as desired with ailing family members and also to explore my other passions in life. Had I not been let go, I would not have had the gift of time to spend with my loved one who is on borrowed time. That is something that many do not have the opportunity to do. While this beauty does not come from happiness, it comes from the recognition that time is a gift—one we do not often realize we need more of. Time with loved ones is something you will never regret, and the ability to shift your mindset to “this is where I belong” comes from believing in the redirection that was thrown at you. Imagine yourself in a similar situation—how would you feel, and is there anything you would do to make roses out of thorns?
Redirection is often seen as “bad” or “scary” because it represents a change in your plans. However, redirection can offer endless opportunities for advancement and improvement. It can lead to healing. Redirection can be beautiful, powerful, and empowering. It can help someone find joy in life unexpectedly and become a new and improved version of themselves. While we do not always have an answer for why redirection happens, there is almost always something good to come from it if you look closely. It is usually something that comes from within.
In addition, there is only so much validation you can receive from your closest people. When the going gets tough, you need to keep pushing through because at the end of the day, you only have yourself to come to. It is imperative, during times of redirection, expected or not, to find a way to keep your head up and your feet moving forward. Stopping to look behind you or overanalyzing every aspect of that part of life will only lead to a never-ending cycle of “what happened when everything seemed so perfect?” It is easy to find yourself questioning everything during these times, but it is crucial to remind yourself that sometimes escaping your comfort zone can be the best thing for your life. Trusting the process and believing that better things are ahead will help you find the beauty in redirection and reignite your soul.
I am a firm believer that “everything happens for a reason.” No matter if it is good or bad, there is always something to come from our lived experiences. We all have a story to tell, a life to live, and things to overcome. While not always planned or what we had in mind, the power comes from how we handle these “setbacks.” The unknown can be scary, but your mindset is what will help you prevail and make the unknowns in life known. Take the time to feel the emotions that come from the obstacles life may throw at you, but recognize that after the storm passes, the sun will shine again. With every obstacle and setback comes new opportunity, and there is something better on the other side. Find the beauty in life’s challenges and the opportunity that comes from the unexpected. There is beauty in redirection if you trust in the timing.
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