Falling into the right season

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realised that not all choices, relationships, and life moments are meant to stay consistent or be “forever.” Some things are here for a moment, a chapter, or a season. And that doesn’t make them any less important or meaningful, it just means you can appreciate it even if it doesn't stay.

Looking back, I’ve noticed some of my biggest shifts have happened at the beginning of a new decade. In each of these moments, it has felt like I was letting go of part of my identity. Other times, it felt like I hadn’t been living an honest version of myself. But what I’ve come to understand is that change doesn’t mean you haven't been true to yourself, it means you’re giving yourself permission to grow, learn, and evolve.

So, why do these shifts often happen at the start or end of a decade? I think we place a lot of weight on milestone years, like turning 20 or 30, because we’ve been conditioned to. We allow external pressures to influence how we should feel or where we should be at a certain point in time, and we lose sight of what truly makes us happy and who we really are. Whether it’s your career, relationship status, the number of countries you’ve visited, whether you’ve bought a house, or if you’re ready to start a family… society sets these silent deadlines that pressure us into rushing decisions.

What if we hit pause instead? What if we blocked out the noise, tuned into what matters most and made decisions based on where we are right now, not where we think we should be?

It’s okay to be in a different season than the people around you. Sometimes that might create distance, sometimes it might bring you closer, but no matter what, it will be okay because what’s meant for you will always find its way.

A Personal Reflection

For me, this realisation recently showed up in a friendship. Over the past eight months, I noticed recurring patterns that left me feeling drained and disconnected. The joy I once experienced in the friendship just wasn’t there anymore.

From the moment of realisation, I gave myself time to reflect, to share how I felt, to take space, and eventually to make the joint decision to go our separate ways. It wasn’t an easy process, but when I asked myself the hard questions — Does this bring me joy? Am I being true to myself?  I knew something had to shift.

This friendship will forever be one I hold close to my heart, and there are moments shared that will always be special. But it wasn’t meant to last forever, and that’s okay. I love it for what it was, and I’m proud that I was able to step into my next season doing what's right for me.

From this experience, I’ve found these questions and reflections below can help decide when it’s time to shift and how to move forward with clarity:

How to tune into the season of life meant for you Here are a few ways to reconnect with yourself and embrace your current season:

• Take time for self-reflection — journaling, meditating, or simply going for a walk.

• Notice what brings you joy versus what drains your energy.

• Ask yourself: Am I making choices out of joy or obligation?

• Pay attention to recurring patterns or feelings that signal something needs to shift.

• Be honest about what no longer fits: Jobs, friendships, routines—it’s okay to outgrow them.

When it might be time to shift into a new season You might feel the pull toward a new season when:

• Things that once excited you now feel stressful or forced.

• You find yourself constantly daydreaming about “something different.”

• Your growth no longer aligns with your current goals, environment or relationships.

• You’ve outgrown old habits, routines, or versions of yourself.

• Your mental, emotional, or physical health is suffering.

• You're feeling out of sync and craving a reset.

What if the people around you don't understand or fit into this new season? Sometimes, when we grow, the people around us don’t grow with us, and that can be hard. Here’s how to navigate that:

• Recognise that not everyone is meant to walk your whole journey with you.

• It doesn't have to be all or nothing, sometimes distance or a break can be all you need to reset.

• Be compassionate but clear about your boundaries.

• Seek out new connections that align with your current season and celebrate the version of you you're becoming

• Hold gratitude for what those relationships gave you, even if they no longer fit.

The most important thing to remember is this: feel good about your decisions. Follow what lights you up. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and support your journey. And let go of the pressure to follow a straight line, because life was never meant to be linear anyway.

Be kind to yourself.

Let yourself change.

And never be afraid to fall into the season that's meant for you.