Listening to Your Inner Compass: When It’s Time to Let Go and Move Forward

There’s a quiet moment many of us face, at work, in relationships, or even just with ourselves, when we finally pause and ask: Is this worth it?

We’re taught to push through. To be grateful. To stay, even when everything in us is screaming for change. But there’s a world of difference between something being challenging and something being damaging, and between discomfort that helps us grow, and situations that break us down.

Sometimes, it’s not about giving up. It’s about coming home to yourself.

When Your Body Starts Whispering… Then Shouting

A few months ago, I started a job at a well-known bank. On my first day, I walked in feeling hopeful, even proud. I thought, This is a fresh start. After a year of being unemployed, I wanted so badly for it to work, but things were less than ideal.

The training was minimal, and I was thrown into a high-pressure, front-facing role with intense expectations. I had to process financial transactions, upsell products, and offer advice I barely felt qualified to give. Every day felt like a performance I hadn’t rehearsed for.

At first, I kept telling myself it was just the learning curve, and that the overwhelm was normal. Many people told me, “Give it three months!” I had also heard that it can take up to a year to feel comfortable in a new role, so I took that on board to give it a fair chance. But within a couple of weeks, it was the anxiety that was wearing me down, not just the unfamiliarity.

My body felt like it was in a constant state of high alert, like I was bracing for something to go wrong. Sometimes, I’d catch myself holding my breath. I’d come home feeling mentally foggy and emotionally spent, like I was running on empty.

I went back day after day and watched the other tellers around me; they were quick, competent, composed, and I couldn’t help but feel: this isn’t me. Deep down, I already knew that before I took the job, and now my body was confirming what my heart had tried to ignore. I felt shut down. Disconnected. Not myself.

It wasn’t just hard. It was too much.

Eventually, I realized something that changed everything: This isn’t just stress. This is misalignment.

Misalignment Shows Up Everywhere

Maybe you’ve felt it too. That quiet unease, or the persistent ache in your body. Sometimes we ignore it for months, or even years, because we don’t trust ourselves enough to make a change. Or maybe we believe it’s not that bad, or that we should just be stronger.

But strength isn’t staying somewhere that drains your soul. Strength is knowing when something is no longer aligned with your values, your nervous system, or your vision for the life you want. Strength is listening when your body tells you, This isn’t it.

It Wasn’t Just the Job

Leaving the job was difficult. It felt like failure… like I wasn’t good enough for the role, but over time, I started to see it differently. It wasn’t about the job, it was about what it awakened in me—a deeper understanding of what I don’t want to carry forward in my life.

I’ve had to make these choices before—walking away from my marriage was another moment of reckoning, one that took courage, clarity, and a lot of self-trust. These experiences showed me that sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is let go of what no longer fits, even when we don’t know what comes next.

You Don’t Need to Leap—But You Do Need to Move

Making changes like this doesn’t always require a dramatic exit. You don’t need to have it all figured out before you take the first step. But you do need to start.

Start with honesty. Listen to your body. Ask yourself what you truly want and what’s standing in your way.

Then take one small step:
Update your resume. Have that difficult conversation. Reach out for help. Start dreaming again. Let the vision of your life pull you forward instead of letting fear hold you back.

We don’t always get to wait for the perfect conditions: sometimes, we just have to begin.

Learning to Trust Yourself Again

I’ve been unemployed before, unsure of what I was doing or where I was headed. I’ve walked into employment centres with shaking hands and hopeful eyes. I’ve cried in parking lots and stared at blank pages trying to write a resume that sounded like someone confident.

But I’ve also experienced how powerful it is to have someone believe in you. To receive a bit of guidance. To feel supported. That’s why I believe so deeply in personal growth and community support—because we’re not meant to go through transitions alone.

You Are Not a Failure for Wanting More

If you’re in a place right now that feels heavy or misaligned—whether it’s a job, a relationship, or even just the way you’ve been living, know that you’re not broken, you’re not weak, you’re not “too much” or “not enough.”

You’re someone who’s listening to yourself.
You’re someone who’s learning to choose yourself.
And you’re someone who’s wise enough to want a life that fits.

Let This Be the Beginning

You don’t have to burn your life down. You don’t even have to have a perfect plan. You just have to begin.

Remember, start small! Just take the next step knowing that even a small one is enough.

And if you're looking for support, you're not alone. Join us in The Chrysalis—a space for women navigating change, healing, and rediscovery. We’re here to grow with you!