Change isn’t something we’re always ready for. Sometimes it feels like a gentle nudge, other times a full-blown shove. Sometimes we’re the ones initiating it, leaning into a new direction with excitement. And sometimes, it arrives like an uninvited guest, forcing us to pivot when we least expect it.

I’ve been through both. In business and in life.

I can still remember the day I decided to walk away from full-time portrait photography. For years, I poured my heart and soul into that work—capturing families, newborns, weddings. My days were filled with editing sessions, weekend shoots, and late-night uploads. And in many ways, it was a dream come true. But over time, that dream began to change.

My kids were growing up, and I was missing too much. I craved slower mornings, family weekends, time at home, the freedom to just be. The thought of letting go of something I had spent so many years building was terrifying. What would that even look like? Would people think I was giving up? Would I regret it?

But deep down, I knew: it was time to pivot.

The Weight of Staying the Same

I think there’s a misconception that changing course means we’re inconsistent or unsure of what we want. But what if the real inconsistency is staying somewhere that no longer feels right?

Because here’s the truth: staying the same when everything inside you is urging you to change? That’s exhausting.

It’s like holding your breath underwater—tight, tense, unsustainable. You can only hold on for so long before you have to come up for air.

In business, that has meant letting go of things that once felt like my entire world. It meant shutting down projects that weren’t working, walking away from offers that didn’t align, and starting over when I wasn’t ready.

And each time, I thought it might break me. Each time, I wondered if I was making a mistake. Each time, I was reminded that it’s okay to let go of what once was to make space for what could be.

The Uncertainty of the Pivot

Here’s the part we don’t talk about enough: even when you know a change is necessary, it doesn’t mean it’s easy. There’s fear. Doubt. Uncertainty.

And even now, I still feel it.

As a business owner, the landscape is always shifting. What works today might not work tomorrow. What once felt aligned might start to feel heavy. And in those moments, the question isn’t, “Should I change?” but rather, “Can I be brave enough to trust whatever comes next?”

Bravery isn’t about feeling ready. It’s about moving forward even when you don’t have all the answers.

The Beauty in Not Knowing

I often think about those early days of photography. How my camera felt like an extension of my heart. How I was terrified to start but did it anyway. And how that one decision opened doors to so many others.

Because change is like that. It’s a door. And we can’t always see what’s on the other side. But sometimes, the things we’re most afraid to let go of are the very things that lead us to where we’re meant to be.

Today, my life looks nothing like it did back then. I spend my days building things I love—writing, creating, connecting with other business owners. And yes, there are still moments when I wonder what might have happened if I stayed where I was. If I would have listened to everyone who told me to stay the same. If I kept holding on to something that no longer felt like mine.

But then, I look around. I see my kids running through the house in the middle of a weekday. I see the projects I get to work on that light me up. And I remind myself that every change I’ve made—every pivot, every letting go—brought me closer to a life that feels more like me.

So, if you’re standing at a crossroad, unsure of what to do next, let me remind you:

You don’t need permission to change. You don’t need a perfect plan. You don’t need to wait until you feel ready.

Change isn’t something we’re always ready for. Sometimes it feels like a gentle nudge, other times a full-blown shove. Sometimes we’re the ones initiating it, leaning into a new direction with excitement. And sometimes, it arrives like an uninvited guest, forcing us to pivot when we least expect it.

I’ve been through both. In business and in life.

I can still remember the day I decided to walk away from full-time portrait photography. For years, I poured my heart and soul into that work—capturing families, newborns, weddings. My days were filled with editing sessions, weekend shoots, and late-night uploads. And in many ways, it was a dream come true. But over time, that dream began to change.

My kids were growing up, and I was missing too much. I craved slower mornings, family weekends, time at home, the freedom to just be. The thought of letting go of something I had spent so many years building was terrifying. What would that even look like? Would people think I was giving up? Would I regret it?

But deep down, I knew: it was time to pivot.

The Weight of Staying the Same

I think there’s a misconception that changing course means we’re inconsistent or unsure of what we want. But what if the real inconsistency is staying somewhere that no longer feels right?

Because here’s the truth: staying the same when everything inside you is urging you to change? That’s exhausting.

It’s like holding your breath underwater—tight, tense, unsustainable. You can only hold on for so long before you have to come up for air.

In business, that has meant letting go of things that once felt like my entire world. It meant shutting down projects that weren’t working, walking away from offers that didn’t align, and starting over when I wasn’t ready.

And each time, I thought it might break me. Each time, I wondered if I was making a mistake. Each time, I was reminded that it’s okay to let go of what once was to make space for what could be.

The Uncertainty of the Pivot

Here’s the part we don’t talk about enough: even when you know a change is necessary, it doesn’t mean it’s easy. There’s fear. Doubt. Uncertainty.

And even now, I still feel it.

As a business owner, the landscape is always shifting. What works today might not work tomorrow. What once felt aligned might start to feel heavy. And in those moments, the question isn’t, “Should I change?” but rather, “Can I be brave enough to trust whatever comes next?”

Bravery isn’t about feeling ready. It’s about moving forward even when you don’t have all the answers.

The Beauty in Not Knowing

I often think about those early days of photography. How my camera felt like an extension of my heart. How I was terrified to start but did it anyway. And how that one decision opened doors to so many others.

Because change is like that. It’s a door. And we can’t always see what’s on the other side. But sometimes, the things we’re most afraid to let go of are the very things that lead us to where we’re meant to be.

Today, my life looks nothing like it did back then. I spend my days building things I love—writing, creating, connecting with other business owners. And yes, there are still moments when I wonder what might have happened if I stayed where I was. If I would have listened to everyone who told me to stay the same. If I kept holding on to something that no longer felt like mine.

But then, I look around. I see my kids running through the house in the middle of a weekday. I see the projects I get to work on that light me up. And I remind myself that every change I’ve made—every pivot, every letting go—brought me closer to a life that feels more like me.

So, if you’re standing at a crossroad, unsure of what to do next, let me remind you:

You don’t need permission to change. You don’t need a perfect plan. You don’t need to wait until you feel ready.