Necessary Endings

Welcome to Wisdom Wednesdays: your weekly dose of clarity.

Each week, enjoy a quick guided reflection, fresh insights, and a simple exercise to help you unlock what’s next—all in one powerful email.

Let's dive in!

Intentional Pause - Your guided reflection

10 minutes to more clarity

The Unexpected Gift of an Ending

One of the most profound emails I’ve ever received was from a client who had just been laid off. Instead of being consumed by fear or frustration, she felt something unexpected: inspired.

Through our work together (offered to her by the business that laid her off), she had realized something powerful—she wanted more time with her family. She wanted to align her life with her values. She wanted to take ownership of her journey.

And while being laid off wasn’t the vision she had for making that change, it was the path forward that appeared.

Instead of bringing fear home to her family, she brought presence. Instead of spiraling in self-doubt, she saw the opportunity to step into the life she had envisioned.

From my vantage point, the real impact was this: her children got to witness their mother embracing change with resilience. They saw her choosing to see possibility in a seemingly difficult moment. And because of that, they too, are learning how to navigate life’s transitions with strength.

The Fear of Letting Go

This isn’t to diminish the reality of a layoff or any other major life shift. Change is hard. It forces us to face the unknown.

But here’s what I hear most often from people who have gone through these moments:

"I needed to leave anyway. They just made the choice that I wasn’t willing to make on my own."

Sound familiar? There may be something in your own life that you know deep down needs to change, but you keep holding on.

I know there’s something like that for me right now. I can pinpoint it exactly. And yet, I’ve stayed. Because walking away felt like failing. Because I don’t want to be irresponsible. Because I’m afraid of making the wrong choice.

But staying is costing me something too. And if you’re honest with yourself, you might feel the same.

The Illusion of Holding On

Too often, we grip tightly to things that no longer serve us, hoping they will transform into something they’re not.

We pour time, energy, and emotion into something that isn’t working, thinking that if we just try a little harder, we can force a better outcome.

But refusing to walk away from what isn’t working is like holding onto a burning metal rod, hoping it won’t hurt.

It is hurting. And it won’t stop until you let go.

The Power of Choosing to Walk Away

Real transformation happens when we find the courage to release what no longer aligns with us.

Sometimes, that looks like doing deep inner work and releasing our internal tight attachment to that thing. Other times, it means actively making a decision to walk away.

The key?

Move toward what you want, rather than just running from what you don’t.

When you shift your focus toward possibility and growth, you step into your power. But when you make decisions from a place of fear, you stay stuck in survival mode.

The Boldest Move You Can Make

Letting go is often harder than starting something new. But in releasing what’s no longer right, you create space for what is.

Dr. Henry Cloud calls these "Necessary Endings."

His book by the same name is one I reference often in sessions. Because sometimes, just acknowledging that an ending is necessary gives us permission to embrace it.

“Failing well means ending something that is not working and choosing to do something else better.”

You can wait for life to force your hand. Or you can engage with your own journey, step into courage, and shape your own future.

Your Turn to Reflect

Below are a few reflection questions. Use the audio above to guide you and then tune inward using these questions for more clarity.

What is no longer working for you?
What do you actually want to move toward?
What is the major barrier holding you back from walking away?
What are you giving up by not walking away?
What is one simple thing you can do to move toward your vision and away from what’s not working (tip: a few examples below)?

Even a small step in that direction will shift everything.

Momentum through Action

Here are a few strategies to consider to integrate your reflections:

Read Dr. Cloud’s Book. It’s full of wisdom, perspectives, stories and strategies for business and life. Let his words spark clarity for you.
Write down your vision. And then share it with a trusted source. Start building a light roadmap to get from where you are now to that vision.
Give yourself a timeframe. Identify a date by which time you want the change to happen. Give yourself enough time to build momentum but not too much time that you lose steam. Try 9-12 months if you’re not sure.
Mentally walk away. Even if you can’t make the change materially right now, walk away mentally. Let go. Let the old thing die. Sometimes, that’s enough to let the new vision emerge and blossom. PLUS, every time we’ve seen someone do this, they over-perform in their current situation with less time and energy while moving toward what they really want.
Ask for a guide. Put it out into the Universe, your friend groups, the people you trust or even just write it down that you want support on this journey. Your teachers and guides will show up. As the saying goes, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” Keep an eye out for them once you ask. Usually, when I ask this, at least 3-5 people show up with every major transition.

Your Next Step

Take one small step. Trust yourself and your vision. You’ve got this one life. Design it and live it fully. Be the best version of you. Honor your values. And always move toward what you want most. Your life will be better for it. And you will have a greater, more positive impact on the people and things around you.

And if you’re navigating a transition and need support aligning your personal and professional life with what matters most, join us at Owl & Key.

We’re here to help you create a life that reflects your values, your vision, and your deepest sense of purpose.

With gratitude for your presence here,

Krista