When One Chapter Closes: Finding Your “What’s Next?”
by Jo Haberstok
Life has a way of shifting the ground beneath our feet. A job ends. A relationship fades. A dream we’ve been chasing for years suddenly feels out of reach. But endings, as painful or disorienting as they may be, are not just closures. Here is another way to look at them. They are invitations – invitations to something new.
Acknowledge the Ending: Before rushing forward, give yourself permission to feel the weight of what’s over. Endings can stir grief, relief, confusion, or even all three at once. Naming those emotions is the first step toward healing and toward moving on.
Pause Before you Leap: We often feel pressure to “figure it out” immediately. But stillness can be powerful. Depending on the situation, you may need to take some time to rest, reflect, and listen to what your inner voice is whispering - not just what the world is shouting.
Revisit Your Values: Ask yourself: What matters most to me now? Sometimes endings can help strip away the noise, revealing what’s truly important. This clarity can guide your next move more than any external advice.
Explore Without Commitment: Try new things without the pressure of permanence - a class, a hobby, a trip, a volunteer role. These small experiments can spark unexpected passions or connections. You may learn a new language – or knit a scarf!
Trust the Unwritten Pages: The unknown can be intimidating, but it’s also where new possibilites live. Every ending is proof that change is possible - and that that new beginnings are, too.
The Beauty of “Next”
“What’s next?” is not a demand for immediate answers or actions - it’s an open invitation to curiosity. Life rarely unfolds in a straight line. Sometimes the most beautiful chapters begin in the quiet after an ending, when we allow ourselves to imagine without limits.
Endings are not the opposite of beginnings - they are the soil from which beginnings grow. And while the next chapter may not be fully written yet, you hold the pen.
Closing Thought: When one door closes, it’s not always about finding another door right away. Sometimes it’s about just standing in the hallway for a while, learning to breathe again, and trusting that the next step will reveal itself when you’re ready.