This is a season of new beginnings for me.
New beginnings can be exciting and fun. Just as the iconic song tells us, though, every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end. That means it’s also been a season of sadness, change and sometimes uncomfortable growth.
I’ve spent plenty of time privately focused on the “ending” part, and feeling all those feelings. I’m sure I’ll write about that in future posts. For now, though, I’m focused on radical acceptance and the new beginning part. This is inspiring and motivating to me!
My entire life suddenly feels like a new journey to somewhere fabulous and foreign where I’ve never been before. I’m embarking on a spiritual and emotional voyage that is a launch forward in every way as I find myself unexpectedly solo at the age of 55.
After 22 years together, Z’s dad and I have decided to complete our marriage and part ways as individuals, even as we will remain forever bonded as family and coparents to Zoe. I’ll probably write more about the “d word” in future posts, too – there is still so much stigma associated with divorce and we love busting stigmas wide open on this blog!
For now, I’m focused on what’s new. For starters, I just bought my very first home all by myself. Talk about #adulting!
And the good news is that I’m staying right here in Lewis Center, as I found the perfect condo just a few miles from our family home. This will make the transition a bit easier for Z as she adjusts to her new life of shuttling back and forth between two parents who adore her and two homes that will hopefully both always serve as a safe, calm place to land.
I’m also in search of a new job – one that is full-time (as my current work situationship is transitioning to part-time). Ideally, I’ll find a role that will allow me to work remotely from my gorgeous new condo to keep my two doggos happy, and with enough flexibility to allow for momming duties as well as periodic visits to my awesomely aging folks in Cali.
Putting it all down in writing here feels weird. I’m dealing with a lot of life changes all at once. It’s been one heck of a summer – and honestly, one of the toughest years of my entire life. But I’m proud of myself. I can do hard things. I don’t necessarily want to do them – but I’m doing them, and there’s something to be said for that.
I’ll be writing more about these changes soon. For now, give your girl a little extra grace because life has been one heck of a rollercoaster lately – and not necessarily the good kind.
I’m focusing on the positives: new beginnings. A gorgeous new home. A new way of life as a solo mom. And giving our sweet Z as much love, compassion and space as we can to help her adjust to these changes, too.
If you have advice on coparenting or life after divorce in one’s 50s, I’m all ears. So far, it’s pretty peaceful – and having a gorgeous new pool doesn’t hurt!
