When Everything Shifts: Encouragement for Life’s Seasons
- Kimberly DeShields-Spencer
- Oct 4
- 6 min read
There are times in life when it feels like everything around you is in motion—friends making big life decisions, work shifting in unexpected ways, the news filled with change after change—and meanwhile, you’re standing in the middle of it all, trying to make sense of where you belong in the swirl of it. Maybe it feels exciting one moment, overwhelming the next. Maybe you’ve caught yourself wondering why it all seems to be happening at once, and what it’s asking of you.
If you’ve found yourself in one of those seasons, here are some reminders to hold close:
You are allowed to move slowly. Just because the world feels like it’s speeding up doesn’t mean you have to match its pace. Slowness isn’t falling behind—it’s choosing intention over frenzy. Moving at your own rhythm allows you to process, reflect, and respond with clarity, rather than reacting out of pressure. Life is not a race, and the steps you take at your own pace can carry far more meaning than hurried ones.
It’s normal to feel unsettled. Change rarely shows up neatly packaged. It usually feels messy, inconvenient, and a little disorienting. That doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong; it means you’re human. Feeling unsteady can actually help you notice what truly matters and what you are willing to hold onto. Allow yourself to sit with the discomfort without judgment—it is part of your growth.
Your worth isn’t measured by how much you can adjust. When everything around you shifts, it can feel like you should bend and stretch to keep up. But your value is not determined by how quickly you adapt. You are enough even when you’re still finding your footing. Your inherent worth is constant, independent of outcomes or external expectations. It serves as a reminder that you are not defined by your circumstances, but by who you are at your core.
Rest is still necessary, even in transition. The temptation is to push harder, to overwork, to “keep up.” But rest doesn’t mean you’re ignoring what’s happening; it means you’re giving yourself the strength to meet it with clarity. Taking time to pause allows your mind and body to reset, providing you with the perspective that constant motion cannot offer. Rest is a form of courage because it enables you to face what comes next fully prepared.
What feels confusing now can make sense later. There are seasons where understanding doesn’t come right away. Sometimes you have to live through the middle before the pieces come together. The process may feel uncertain, but your experiences are quietly gathering the wisdom you’ll need. Trust that the lessons are forming beneath the surface, even if clarity hasn’t arrived yet.
Pay attention to what grounds you. Notice the small things that bring you back to yourself—a walk outside, a quiet prayer, cooking a meal, calling someone who steadies you. Those simple things matter more than you realize. They serve as anchors, helping you maintain your balance amid the shifting currents. Even brief moments of connection or reflection can sustain you through days that feel unsteady.
You don’t have to hold everything at once. It’s not your job to solve every problem, carry every weight, or understand every headline. Permit yourself to care deeply without carrying it all. Prioritizing what truly matters allows you to conserve your energy for what aligns with your purpose. It’s okay to let go of burdens that aren’t yours to carry.
Not every season is about clarity—some are about trust. We crave answers, but sometimes the point of change is to lean into uncertainty, to learn how to live without the whole map and still move forward. Trusting the process allows you to surrender the need for control and embrace the unfolding journey. Life often teaches in layers, and what seems unclear now may reveal its meaning over time.
Change is shaping you, even when you don’t notice. The tension, the waiting, the unknown—it’s not wasted. Even if you can’t see it yet, it’s forming resilience, depth, and perspective that will serve you in the days ahead. You are being equipped for challenges and opportunities you can’t yet imagine. Every discomfort or obstacle is part of the quiet work of growth and preparation.
Joy is still allowed here. Even when the world feels heavy, you don’t have to wait until everything is “settled” to experience joy. Let yourself notice beauty, laughter, and small delights right now. Gratitude and delight can coexist with uncertainty, helping to keep your spirit light. Choosing to embrace moments of happiness doesn’t negate the seriousness of your circumstances—it sustains you through them.
Not every voice needs your attention. In times of change, opinions can be loud and constant. You don’t have to absorb them all. Choose carefully what you let shape your perspective. Protect your mind and heart from unnecessary noise; discernment is a form of self-respect.
Grief and hope can coexist. It’s possible to be sad about what’s ending and still hopeful about what’s beginning. Both can live in the same heart without canceling each other out. Allowing both to exist helps you move forward without suppressing emotions. You don’t have to choose between feeling loss and expecting good things ahead—they can strengthen each other.
Your story doesn’t have to match anyone else’s. Comparison will tell you you’re behind. Truth will remind you: your path is yours, and that’s what makes it powerful. You are walking a journey uniquely suited to your gifts, timing, and experiences. Focus on the steps you are taking, not the ones others appear to be taking.
Change often begins with loss. When something falls away, it makes room for something new. The loss doesn’t mean failure—it means there’s space for growth. Every ending creates opportunity, even if it feels painful in the moment. Embracing that space allows you to step into what is waiting for you with open hands.
Stillness is not wasted time. Pausing is part of progress. Taking time to breathe, reflect, or reset doesn’t delay your life—it deepens it. Silence allows you to hear your own thoughts and the nudges of guidance you might otherwise miss. What appears to be inactivity can actually be fertile ground for clarity and insight.
Ask for help if you need it. Seasons of change can feel isolating, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Reaching out for support is a sign of strength, not a sign of weakness. Sometimes, a fresh perspective or shared experience can illuminate the path forward. Asking for help is not dependence—it’s an act of wisdom and courage.
You can hold on to what matters most. Even as things shift, some values, relationships, and priorities can remain constant. Identify them and let them anchor you. What you choose to protect will guide your decisions and preserve your sense of purpose. Anchoring yourself in these constants provides clarity amid uncertainty.
The unknown is not the enemy. What you can’t predict can still hold good things. Sometimes what feels uncertain is simply an uncharted possibility. Approaching the unknown with curiosity rather than fear enables you to see opportunities where others see risks. It can open doors you didn’t know existed.
It’s okay if you don’t feel “productive. ”Your worth isn’t tied to output. Seasons of change often call for listening, adjusting, and being—none of which can be measured on a checklist. Permitting yourself to simply exist allows your creativity, intuition, and insight to flourish. Productivity is not the only measure of meaningful presence.
You’ve lived through change before. This isn’t the first time life has shifted under your feet, and it won’t be the last. Remember the strength you found then—it’s still within you now. You’ve adapted, survived, and grown before, and you can do it again. Each previous experience equips you to face today with more resilience and wisdom than you realize.
No matter how fast the world moves or how unpredictable life feels, remember that your journey is yours alone. You don’t have to have it all figured out, and you don’t have to shoulder everything by yourself. What matters is that you keep showing up for yourself, leaning into the lessons, and trusting that each moment—no matter how uncertain—is shaping you for what’s ahead.
Embrace the rhythm of your own pace, and allow yourself to be fully present in this season. Celebrate the small victories, the quiet breakthroughs, and the moments of clarity that often arrive when you least expect them. Even in the midst of change, there is purpose, strength, and hope.
Stand firm in what you know to be true about yourself, even when everything else seems in flux. Your resilience, courage, and faith will carry you through the storms and guide you toward growth you never imagined. This season is not just something to endure—it is something to rise through. Step forward with confidence, knowing that the path before you, although not yet fully visible, is leading you exactly where you are meant to go.
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