From Closure To A New Chapter

Starting a new chapter can mean different things to different people. And the way we feel about it can affect us differently.

For me, a new chapter means to surround myself with people who genuinely care about me and focus on what truly matters.

I simply shift my time and energy toward people who uplift me and the hobbies that I enjoy doing. It helped me become a better person.

One of the chapters in life that I experienced was going through a breakup with my at-the-time-boyfriend. I learned something valuable from it.

He and I were in a mutually loving relationship for two years. We had our ups and downs. But we make it through it together.

Until one day, I felt something changed. I felt I was putting in more effort. I was trying to keep the relationship together.

I don't know how I knew but I knew something was on his mind. I just waited for him to tell me when he was ready.

Suddenly, he wanted to talk to me and told me:

I can't continue the relationship with you anymore. It's not you, and it's not anything you did. It's just me.

I had so many emotions coming up. I had so many questions to ask. I felt shocked, afraid, upset, confused, frustrated, disappointed, and in disbelief.

But then I remembered if there’s something that needs to be talked about, then it’s okay to talk about it.

I had so many thoughts and assumptions in my head that I started to cry. How can the man I ever loved say these words easily or even have these thoughts?

Then, I had another feeling behind all the emotions I felt at once. It was the strongest feeling, and that feeling was “be still”. Out of all the emotions arising, this feeling was the only positive feeling.

I was able to take a deep breath and think clearly. I was able to put everything aside and listen. When I did, I had the assurance that everything would be okay.

I was at peace. I was calm. I was relaxed. I was patient. I was facing the situation. I was accepting the situation. I was listening to everything my partner had to say.

This was how I responded:

Okay. Thank you for telling me how you felt. I may not understand it now but I appreciate you opening up to me. If you want us to end things between us, then okay.

From there, we both ended things positively. We had different paths in life and pursued our goals. We're both happy and happy for each other.

I'm still me, but happier. To this day, I am so amazed and proud of the things that were said. It came out perfectly. I have no regrets.

Imagine having my crazy reactions do the talking instead! It would've been different and probably not a good ending.

Now, I'm thinking why was I hurt over the breakup when it happened? Breakup hurts a lot, whether it's on good terms or not. A breakup is still a breakup.

For me, I realized it wasn’t the breakup itself that hurt me the most. It was the part about the partner losing hope in the relationship.

The person would take the easy way out rather than try and overcome the obstacles together.

During that time, I didn't understand the things my former partner was going through. Or how hard it must have been for him to bring it up to me without hurting my feelings while being straightforward and honest.

At that moment, I decided to write a letter to my ex. The title was “From Closure To A New Chapter.” 

I only wrote about the positive side of everything in the relationship. I even wrote all the good and amazing things about the person.

All the respect and support. All the learning and growing. All the appreciation and compassion. All the things that we accomplished and cherished.

I was freely writing out what I truly meant. This helped me to heal and to believe that greater things are coming. I’m grateful there was peace. I can close the chapter completely and freely move on.

As I look back, I can only be thankful for it. I learned that choosing to be happy is more important than being right. 

If I don't go through difficult situations, then I won’t be able to have a new start.

Whatever chapter in life we go through, we will be okay. We need to focus on our well-being.

There’s a reason for the people in our lives. There’s a reason for the challenges we encounter. There’s a reason for the changes.

A new chapter in life can only help us take responsibility to grow and move forward. Instead of having regrets, let’s have a fresh start.

It's one of the best feelings to turn the next page in life.