The Joy in Moving On
As someone who appreciates the transitory, temporal nature of life, I am not someone who shies away from opportunities to move on. Whether it be from a job situation that no longer serves you, a relationship that you have outgrown, or a situation from the past that is just no longer relevant. Sometimes moving on is not only the best way to preserve yourself, but the best way to open new doors to newfound joy.
Changing Locations
When I first moved to Orlando back in 2019, I welcomed it as a chance to move on from my hometown and experience something fresh. I had spent the previous years working at a local grocery store and attending the local college, and I felt aware that I needed a change.
Stepping out into a new environment gave me the chance to step out of my comfort zone and grow as an individual. It put me around new scenery, new people, and new ways of doing things.
Ironically, when my lease ended and it came time to come back to my hometown, I actually welcomed it as a chance to move on from the big city. At that time the pandemic was still in full swing, and it gave me the time to slow back down from the busy life I had been living in Orlando.
Going With The Flow
When you go with the flow of life, you allow things to transition seamlessly in a way that ends up being beneficial. On the flip side, when you stay overly attached to things that no longer serve you, you prevent yourself from experiencing the joy and satisfaction you would have otherwise.
This tends to be the case in many instances. People stay attached to jobs that they should have left years ago, or even relationships that have been long overdue for a split. In those cases, it often becomes clear from the outside that they’re holding on to something that no longer fits.
Updating and Evolving
In other cases, what you are currently doing truly is what is best for you. You have stayed consistent with something that brings you joy, and you continue to make adjustments and updates along the way. You are still growing and evolving, even if the core of what you are doing remains the same.
There may come a time where what you are doing will change or grow, but the nature of what you do will remain grounded and whole. This is much different from the person fighting against the wind, unwilling and too stubborn to do what is best not only for themselves but the people around them.
In many cases, the reasons for being unwilling to change can be egotistical. A person gets attached to a certain image or a certain stature, and the thought of changing or becoming less is petrifying to them. In other instances it could just be out of sheer laziness and lack of proactivity. They are aware that they are unhappy, but they don’t have the internal fortitude to do something about it. So they continue to sit in the same spot, waiting for someone or something else to save them. Years go by, and eventually they wake up one day and realize that they have wasted their whole life away.
Moving Forward in Life
Being present means aligning with the transitory nature of life, where the present moment is always changing. Many people struggle with this and end up carrying anger, bitterness, or resentment from years past.
When attention stays fixed on what has already happened, it becomes harder to move forward. In that sense, the past can quietly keep people stuck.
The alternative is to look inward and make a conscious effort to move forward. That can mean stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing change, and prioritizing your health and well-being when adjustments are needed.
Thank You For Reading
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. As always, I hope you have enjoyed, and I look forward to seeing you on the next one.
