reinventing yourself

I read a post on My French Country Home about Sharon Santoni and how she reinvented herself after her children were grown. It got me thinking about all the other times in life where we reinvent ourselves or come to a new phase in life. It can be after having a new family, new career, empty nesting, retiring, the death of a loved one, or having a chronic illness. Each can be challenging because it means change and change can be difficult even if it’s good change.

I remember a friend of mine saying that after her children were grown, she and her husband had to start a new relationship because it had always been the kids in the middle, and now they had to find their way to being a couple again. It was difficult in the beginning but they created an incredible new relationship that is rewarding and better than it ever was.

The same can happen when you have a chronic illness. I remember my first thoughts after being diagnosed with PD, that my life as I knew it was over. That all the big goals that I had planned had to come to a screeching halt, and I was no longer me. It was scary to think about the future. It took some time, but after the initial shock wore away, I started thinking about the changes in a more pragmatic way. I took stock and realized all the positive things I have in my life, things that I could do, and ways that I could help others. As the saying goes “if you can’t get out of it, get into it” and the more I got into it, the more I realized there is so much to explore than I could never have known about before.

The new you can also come at a time that you choose. Maybe you’re at a time in your life when you want to reinvent yourself. To make changes for the better. To explore the creative side in you, to enjoy managing your health better, create a better relationship, whatever you want to do with the next phase of your life.

Have you had to reinvent yourself?

Well off to my garden. Quarantine is still on but slowly lifting. Some stores and beaches are opening with limitations, hospitals are starting elective procedures and I can see a bit more traffic on the roads with people out and about. I hope things are getting better where you are. xo

“Celebrate endings—for they precede new beginnings.” Jonathan Lockwood Huie