power & peace in pivot: embracing change, courage, and growth
a phrase that has been lingering in my mind these past few weeks is this: the power and peace in pivot. do we truly have free will? is it really possible to create the life we want to live? can we unapologetically change direction and stand firmly in that choice? if you ask me… absolutely.
as I get older and reflect on life’s lessons, I admire more than ever the ability to change our minds. for much of my life, I felt pressure to fit into a box, or to define an “aesthetic,” to lock myself into a version of who I thought I had to be. that pressure only grew as I stepped into different roles: business professional, mother, wife (at the time), graduate student, etc. but the truth is, those are simply branches of who I am. they don’t define the whole tree. now, approaching 30 (yay!), I understand that boxing myself in actually diminishes my fullness. I can be many things, I can carry many perspectives, and I can remain open to change. that, I believe, is what life is all about. it’s how we grow, evolve, and discover new layers of ourselves. there is a line between knowing who you are and standing firm in your values, while also remaining open to new information, experiences, and perspectives. vulnerability in this way is not weakness — it’s beautiful.
some of my favorite moments are deep conversations with individuals where someone shares their perspective and it challenges my own. sometimes I leave the conversation thinking, “our views are different, and that’s okay.” other times, I walk away with a new lens that reshapes how I see the world. that exchange, rooted in respect, curiosity, and honesty, is one of life’s greatest gifts. it truly lights me up! our perspectives are born of our upbringing, our experiences, our joys and scars — true freaking vulnerability and rawness! to share those with each other is sacred. so much peace comes with simply saying: “I changed my mind” or “you know, I never looked at it that way”. that change can be a small act such as choosing to take a walk over rotting on the couch (both are essential!), coffee instead of tea, or it can be monumental.
in 2023/2024, I was preparing for law school. I studied for the LSAT, mapped out my path, and convinced myself it was the “right” next step. but through stillness, reflection, and prayer, I realized my heart wasn’t in it. I knew that I could be a phenomenal attorney, but I couldn’t be the best partner (at the time) nor mother, which were far more important to me. I pivoted, choosing instead to pursue my master’s in HR. some people may have had their opinions or thought, “she doesn’t know what she wants”, but for me, it was freeing. accepting that I no longer desired that path, and honoring that shift, was one of the most liberating decisions I’ve made. we only get one life. just one. why not live it fully, in alignment with what feels right for us? of course, this doesn’t mean disregarding commitments or neglecting loved ones. but we should never be shamed for shifting, for pivoting, for choosing differently. in fact, choosing yourself, even when it’s hard, is one of the bravest things you can do.
in this space, I pause to affirm 5 powerful truths revealed through my choice to pivot:
I honor the power of choice and trusting that each pivot leads me closer to alignment with my true self.
I release fear of change and embrace the freedom that comes with shifting direction.
Every pivot I make is an act of courage. It is proof that I am listening to my intuition and choosing myself.
I trust that letting go creates space for new beginnings, peace, and growth.
My pivots are not signs of failure, but instead, sacred steps on the path of becoming who I am meant to be.
life pivots often involve letting go — of people, of plans, of identities we once clung to. release is not always easy, but it brings peace if you shift your lens to see the beauty in that way. detachment doesn’t mean devaluing what was. it means appreciating the experience, honoring what it gave you, and moving forward when it no longer serves your spirit. there is grief in this process — those “gray areas” where you’re both holding on and letting go (I’ll dive deeper into this on a future blog). but there is also wisdom, clarity, and discernment that you gain. imagine following through with plans you know in your heart aren’t yours, just for approval or familiarity. that reality is far heavier than pivoting. experience is the best teacher. some pivots lead to joy, and others to disappointment; but both outcomes are valuable, because they shape us. they clarify what we want, strengthen our discernment, and give us wisdom for the next decision.
reflecting on 2025, I see so many pivots. times when I clung tightly to things and people that weren’t clinging back. times when I delayed releasing, afraid of what was on the other side. times when I didn’t know if I could make it through healing — only to emerge grateful that I did (and still doing so). and times when I cared so deeply about things that now, with perspective, mean nothing at all. that is the power in pivot. the power in saying, “maybe this isn’t for me after all,” and knowing/trusting that’s enough. I’m truly learning to enjoy the journey and not be committed to the outcome. to control what I can control. there is so much freedom in taking a chance, in changing your mind, in choosing differently, unapologetically. without pivoting, I wouldn’t be the woman I am today and constantly evolving into. for that, I am thankful.
slowly and reverently,
Mar B.
