Reflecting on life’s seasons and knowing when it’s time to move on to something new

Sometimes the hardest thing to figure out is when to quit one thing to move on to another. I’ve always had a long and varied list of interests. So many that I generally have to pick something to stop doing in order to find room in my life for something else. And then there are those times when I just keep adding things until there are too many things.

How does your life look these days? Have you taken on so much that you aren’t enjoying it anymore? Is there so much on your plate that you don’t feel you are doing things well? When you think of things you would like to do or try does it make you weary instead of joyful? Does it feel like you may never get to try those activities?

The end of one year and the beginning of the next often gets us considering where we are and where we want to go. Look back over your calendar for the year. Did you spend your time where you wanted to? Did you pursue the most effective things? Did you spend time with special people?

What skills have you acquired? Which ones didn’t get enough attention?

Are you filling time doing what you feel you must instead of what you would like to? Could you find a way to set some things aside in order to start something new? 

Could you find some help to accomplish some tasks for you? Would that help you find the space for other things? Do you have a plan for how you spend your available hours?

Has the season of your life changed? Are your children grown? Do you have grandkids? Are you just starting a family? 

If you have little ones, they are no doubt taking up much of your time, energy and creativity. Enjoy it. Although some days may seem long, the years pass quickly. But, maybe allocate a little time to things you may want to pursue more thoroughly later.

So, here I am. The seasons in my life have started to change. When I started writing this column in the summer of 2005, I had one son about to start first grade and one just heading for kindergarten. Now, they are both considerably taller than me and deep into their own endeavors. Many of the challenges and changes have been inspiration for the content of my columns. This one included.

I have enjoyed the privilege of putting words on the page each month and thrilled that other people took time to read what I had to say. But, it’s time to move on.

For now, I’m hoping to chase some other interests. Things from long distance hiking to quilting have been lurking on my list with little or no attention for years.

What interests do you see on your horizon? What small steps could you take today or this year that would get you closer or prepare you for the day you have more time for your favorite pursuit?