There is often a moment in life when the ground quietly shifts beneath our feet, when the way we have been living no longer feels quite right, but the path ahead is still uncertain. For many teachers who have poured their hearts into their work for years, that moment can come slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, a feeling of restlessness, a flicker of longing for something more, a quiet wondering if life is meant to feel quite so heavy.

What many do not realise at first is that change does not begin with a perfectly crafted plan. It does not begin with certainty, or even with complete clarity. It begins with one small, radical act: saying yes to yourself.

Why We Wait (And Why We Don't Have To)

It is easy, almost natural, to wait. To tell ourselves we will move when the timing is better, when we are less exhausted, when someone else gives us permission to dream a little bigger. We become experts at waiting: for the end of the term, for the right opportunity, for the elusive moment when the fear subsides and we feel "ready".

But waiting, for all its apparent safety, rarely delivers the clarity or confidence we hope for. In fact, the longer we wait, the easier it becomes to doubt ourselves. Doubt, after all, thrives in stagnation.

What if, instead of waiting for the right conditions, we trusted that the very feeling of longing was enough? What if recognising the quiet desire for more: for freedom, for fulfilment, for something truer, was the signal that it is already time?

You Don’t Need All the Answers

There is a common belief, especially among those of us who are used to being responsible for so much, that we must have everything figured out before making a change. We imagine that to step into a new chapter, we need detailed plans, backup options and absolute certainty about where we are headed.

But life rarely works that way. Most journeys begin not with a map, but with a decision to move.

You do not need to know exactly what your next career will be, or precisely how every step will unfold. You only need a willingness to listen to yourself, to trust that your instincts and experiences are not leading you astray and to believe that you are worthy of building a life that feels expansive rather than constricting.

Saying "yes" to yourself does not mean leaping blindly; it means honouring the quiet truth you already know and giving yourself permission to explore what else might be possible.

Small Shifts Create Big Transformations

When you begin to say yes (even in small ways) everything starts to change. You begin to notice opportunities you had once overlooked. You meet people who reflect back to you a version of yourself you had nearly forgotten. You realise that you are not starting from nothing; you are building from everything you have already become.

There is a momentum that grows when you stop waiting for external validation and start trusting your internal voice. It is not about reckless leaps. It is about steady, courageous movement towards a life that feels more aligned, more alive and more fully yours.

And often, the hardest part is simply beginning.

You Are Closer Than You Think

The truth is, the life you are longing for may not be as distant as it feels. You do not have to transform everything overnight. You do not have to have it all planned out. You simply have to say yes - to yourself, to your hopes, to the possibility that your life could look different and better than it does today.

Choosing yourself is not selfish. It is the first step towards living fully, towards honouring all the experiences, skills and dreams that have shaped you.

It is the moment everything begins to change.