Nudged: Prepare for a fresh start

And here we are, on the final Nudge of 52 in round 4.0.

And to make this even more poignant, this is the final Nudge of all 52Nudges. After six wonder-full years of Nudges, I’m ready to move forward and explore a new creative journey. (You can read about my decision here.)

I don’t yet know what it will be, and I’m excited to see it revealed. For now, I need to prepare myself, which is why I’ve chosen this week’s mindful and intentional Nudge.

I might:

• Declutter to clear my physical workspace
• Devote some quiet time to listen to my inner voice
• Schedule a few brainstorming calls with close friends and ask them to reflect back to me what they’ve observed (Do I get especially excited when I talk about a possible project? Have they heard me get wistful over a project that was put aside “till later” that they’d love to see me resume?)
• Google topics that intrigue me, maybe research something I might want to experience more deeply
• Consider what I need to let go of to make space for something better to come into my life
• Schedule an appointment with a trusted advisor, mentor, pastor, or business/life coach
• Simply rest

A new job, relationship, body image, living space, creative pursuits….

A fresh start. Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

What Happened: This Nudge was more emotional than I had anticipated. I don’t know why I thought it would be anything less. 52Nudges has been my constant companion over the past six years. I’ve had trying and uplifting experiences. Some nudges revealed painful truths to me, while others enabled me to expand in unexpected and glorious way. I’ve learned from readers who shared their experiences and been inspired by wise and generous Guest Nudgers.

When I talked this through with a close friend early in the week, she said, “It’s a death. It’s the end of a long and loving relationship, and you need to grieve it.” She’s so right.

I needed to clear some space in my busy life and give myself a chance to grieve and celebrate. I needed to…process. So I did what I always do when I need to go deep: I pulled out my journal.

I reminded myself why I started, what I hoped to achieve—and what I did achieve. I briefly noted what I wished could have happened, then let that go. I thanked 52Nudges for being on this wonderful journey with me. And I looked forward to whatever is coming.

And guess what? That was the last blank page in my journal.

So I went shopping.

Our local independent bookshop has a wealth of options, but I was drawn to one very special journal. As soon as I saw it, I thought, “This is it.”

It delights my senses. The cover features what I guess is a burnt-in design, so it’s invitingly tactile. The image on the cover is…fruitful. I love the feel of the thick, lined pages. It smells…hmmm…expensive (even though it wasn’t). And it’s small, so I can easily carry it with me. It’s my new companion.

I christened it with an excerpt from Change Me Prayers by Tosha Silver:

Change me, Divine Beloved, into one who honors my deepest creative passions and needs. Help me value the talents You have given me, the known and unknown. May I always make time to fill and replenish myself in every way.

Ah-Hahs: Change is the one constant in life, says the old adage. Growth happens. We can resist or we can embrace. As an optimist and risk-taker, I thrive when I jump without a net, and this is where I find myself today. I trust that I am following the right path for me at the perfect time. I am feeling excited as I face the openness and unknown before me, for I am certain that what’s coming is better than anything my imagination can dream up.

It’s time to Nudge myself into my future. No need to look back. I am just getting started.