Taking A Leap Into Uncertainty with Self-Compassion

One minute, I’m driving into work, sipping lukewarm coffee out of a travel mug at my desk, chatting to my teammates about their weekend, and grumbling about that meeting I have to go to later. The next, my world’s turned upside down, as I close the door on my work in a complex emotional needs service for the NHS, the wide-open road of self-employment is stretching out ahead. The familiar ‘critical parent’ voice inside my head says “Caroline, what have you done now?”

I have a sense of my inner child, trying not to be seen as she quietly skips away to the woods to play.

If you’ve ever swapped a steady salary for the unpredictable beat of a new venture, you’ll know that transitions like this, aren’t just a change of scene, they’re a full mind and body reset. The familiar, the routine, the comfort of stability, the devil you know… doesn’t wrap up neatly. The loss that often comes from change lingers, trips you up, and sometimes pops back in for a visit with a whiff of scare and a sprinkle of doubt and self-criticism.

Stepping into life as a full time, self-employed psychotherapist, I find myself floundering on days when the quiet is too loud and the to-do list too long. The shift from team camaraderie to solo practice tests my sense of purpose and makes me question my footing (barefoot? Pun intended). But slowly, with each cup of coffee brewed and each new client seen, I’m relaxing into it. It’s the invitation to reimagine how I show up each morning, for myself and for those I work with. An invitation to rediscover my strengths, and to draw out new routines that honour my sense of self and support my wellbeing. I’m planning for who I am, no longer ‘trying’ to meet societies and other people’s goal and expectations. Learning to trust myself and yes, trust in my process.

What I’ve learned is this…

Transitions, personal or work, big or small, remind us we’re alive and in motion and nothing is permanent. So, stretch, breathe in deep, and forgive yourself for the wobbles. It’s absolutely fine to struggle sometimes, to circle back, start over, and then keep moving forward. Your journey is yours alone, and every change, every leap of faith, every brave step, is worth celebrating.

The trick to managing life’s transitions? Listen to that critical voice, what is it telling you? Recognise the fear, if like me, you feel it. Trust in your own adult state, your ability to keep yourself safe, Take note of your inner child voice, your ‘little professor’ and acknowledge the thoughts and feeling. Ask yourself, is this emotional response relevant in the here and now? If it isn’t and you don’t need it, let it go!

Start your day with one small win, maybe a walk before you begin your first task of the day or make a note of three things you’ve done well this week, or are grateful for. Keep your self-compassion close and when the doubt creeps in, remember that growth lies in the muddle and mess, not just the upright, tidy milestones. We’ve got this!