I recently started substitute teaching. It’s a new role for me, and I’ll be honest, it has been a little nerve-racking. I know I’m a capable adult, but I still get nervous walking into something new. You would think at age 52 that feeling would go away, but it hasn’t.
I’ve realized that while the nerves don’t necessarily disappear, what can change is how we respond to them. Instead of letting the anxiety build, I’ve been focusing on one small step at a time. I decided to start with a simple thought…smile and go from there.
Breaking It Into Smaller Parts
Instead of thinking about the entire day, I broke it down. 1. Walk into the classroom. 2. Smile. 3. Introduce myself. Just get through the first few minutes. Once I did that, the rest felt more manageable.
That perspective made me realize something. I can apply this same approach to transitions, obstacles, and new things as they come.
I’ve also been jotting those small steps in a notebook or my planner I keep nearby. Writing them down helps me focus on what’s right in front of me instead of everything at once. I love using this planner and also this beautiful notebook.
The Unknowns That Come With the Empty Nest
This empty nest phase has brought its own set of unknowns too. Along with the quieter house comes a sense of uncertainty and a few bigger questions.
Who am I now?
Where are we headed?
What does life look like from here?
When I start thinking about all of that at once, it feels like too much. It’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to figure out the whole picture.
One Small Step at a Time
So I’ve been approaching that the same way.
Instead of trying to answer everything, I focus on what’s right in front of me. What can I do today? What is one small step I can take?
I’ve found that when I break things down, the fears settle down too. The unknown doesn’t feel quite as intimidating when I’m not trying to solve it all at once.
The Power of Something Simple
When I smile, even when I feel uncomfortable, it helps. It changes the energy around me. People respond to it, the situation feels calmer, and because of that I feel calmer too.
It’s a small thing, but it makes a big difference.
Building Momentum in Small Ways
Building on that, I’ve also been focusing on simple daily habits to help me navigate through this phase of life.
Some days that looks like:
- showing up for something new, even if I feel nervous
- getting outside for a walk to clear my head
- writing down one small plan for the day
These are not big, dramatic changes, but they build momentum. Over time, that momentum builds confidence.
You Don’t Have to Figure It All Out
Although we are in our midlife years, that doesn’t mean we stop learning or growing. It doesn’t mean we suddenly have everything figured out either. We still face new challenges with uncertainty, and learn how to move forward.
If you’re in a season where things feel a little unclear or unfamiliar, you’re not alone. You don’t have to figure everything out today.
Start with one step.
Start with the first few minutes.
Start with something small.
That is often enough to turn the unknown into something you can handle.
If anything here resonates with you, I created something just for you. It’s a free guide called When a Season Ends, and it’s written for women who are navigating one of life’s quieter but harder transitions.
It’s not a checklist or a productivity plan. It’s an honest, heartfelt companion for the season you’re actually in.
You can grab your free copy right here.
Want to Take This a Step Further?
If this idea resonates with you, the next step is actually putting it into practice in a way that sticks.
That’s exactly why I created the 3-Win Daily Momentum workshop.
It walks you through how to:
• choose your 3 daily wins in a way that fits your real life
• adjust them when your days aren’t perfect
• build consistency without starting over
It’s simple, realistic, and something you can come back to anytime you need it.
