Have you ever gotten exactly what you wanted—a new job, a dream city, your own business—and then felt completely overwhelmed by it? 😅You might start asking yourself, “Did I make a mistake? Why doesn’t this feel better if it was the right decision?” 🫣 If that’s where you are right now, today I want to offer you a mantra that’s helped me time and time again:

Give yourself time to acclimate.

Just because something feels uncomfortable doesn’t mean it’s WRONG; sometimes, it’s just NEW. And your body and mind are doing their best to adjust. Here’s how I learned this, and how to give yourself more grace and permission whether you’re facing a new season in life, business, motherhood, or any other area…

P.S. Prefer to watch or listen? Check out Episode 174 of the Bright Life Podcast: Give Yourself Time to Acclimate.

The First Time I Learned This Lesson

I first learned this the hard way in my twenties. I had just landed my dream job in New York City. I was THRILLED—this was everything I had worked for and dreamt of. But a few days before the move, the apartment I had secured fell through. In true NYC fashion, it turned out the building had been overtaken by bedbugs! 😳 So I flew to New York on a redeye flight with a single suitcase and no official place to live (yet).

My first morning in the city was a whirlwind of finding a new apartment, signing documents, handing over most of my savings, and dragging my suitcase up and down city stairs. When I finally got the keys and stepped into my new place—completely empty, no furniture, no utensils, no idea of even where to get lunch—I sat on my suitcase, both elated and overwhelmed, and cried.

I wasn’t sad I had moved. I wasn’t regretting my decision. I was just completely out of my comfort zone. I let myself have the moment. I gave myself time to acclimate.

Within only a few weeks, everything had shifted. I had started to settle in. I had learned more of the subway system. I had found my favorite pizza spot. My things had finally arrived, and I had something to sleep on besides scarves from my suitcase. The city began to feel like home. I was on my way. And that’s when it clicked. I didn’t make the wrong choice—I just needed time to ACCLIMATE.

And maybe you do, too.

Newness Isn’t the Same as a Mistake

Since that experience, I’ve seen this play out again and again throughout my life and those of my clients. Sometimes we’re thrown off—not because something is wrong, but because it’s unfamiliar. We assume that discomfort means we’ve taken a wrong turn, but most of the time it just means we’re outside the bounds of what our body and brain recognize as “normal.”

Your nervous system is wired to keep you safe, and one way it lovingly does that is by clinging to the familiar. Even if an old routine isn’t serving you anymore, it what is known. And what’s known feels safe. So stepping into something NEW—even if it’s long-awaited and exciting—can stir up all kinds of fear and self-doubt. That doesn’t mean you’re on the WRONG path. It just means you’re human. It just means you need a little time to get used to your new normal.

Questions to Ask Yourself When You’re Navigating a New Season

Whenever I’m in that in-between space—between the old and the new and semi-spiraling around how uncomfortable everything feels—I ask myself a few simple questions to gauge whether I’ve made a wrong choice… or whether I just need a little more time to acclimate.

1. Have I truly given myself enough time?

We often expect ourselves to feel confident, capable, and fully adjusted within days of doing something brand new. But think about any skill or environment you’ve ever had to learn; it just takes time. Give yourself permission to take that time. Let the discomfort be part of the process—not a signal to stop.

2. What would “enough time” actually look like?

For example, if you’re starting a new business and struggling with sales calls, maybe you need three to six months of practice before it starts to feel natural.

Or if you’ve moved to a new city, perhaps it will take that same amount of time to find your rhythm, make new friends, and feel truly settled.

Defining what “enough time” means for you, in your situation, can help you see if the discomfort is just part of that natural learning curve. You may be ready to pack your bags back to your old life until you realize that you’ve really only given yourself a few weeks… and that isn’t enough time to decide whether something is truly right for you, or not. How much time would you need? Where are you at in that timeline? How much more time can you give yourself before you officially decide what’s best for you?

3. What small comforts can I give myself during the transition?

This one is big. When everything feels new, grounding rituals can help you stay regulated. Maybe it’s a favorite coffee shop, a daily walk, a cozy sweater, or a moment of self-talk like, “I know this is hard, and I’m proud of you for doing it anyway.” These things don’t solve everything and they may sound a little cheesy, but they really do soothe something—and in the tender beginning, that matters.

If you’re a new mom, maybe a solo Target run is your version of self-care. If you’re starting a business, maybe you treat yourself to an iced coffee after a tough client call. If you’re learning new tech or systems, maybe you give yourself a reward for every milestone. It’s not about making it all easy—it’s about giving yourself grace along the way.

If It Still Doesn’t Feel Right—You Can Pivot

Let’s be real: not everything new will work out. But the beauty of giving yourself time to acclimate is that it creates space—space to observe, to learn, and to decide from a grounded place whether it’s simply new… or truly not aligned.

There’s a quote I love by Anaïs Nin: “The day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Sometimes, staying in what’s familiar becomes HARDER than growing into the unknown. Yes, change can be uncomfortable. But it can also be one of the most worthwhile adventures you ever set out on.

And if, after that space and grace, it still doesn’t feel right? You get to pivot. You get to change your mind. You get to honor the next step. At the same time, let’s not rush to that conclusion too soon. Let’s not call it a failure when it might just be a beginning. Remember…

You’re Doing Better Than You Think 💛

If you’re in a season of newness right now, know this: the discomfort doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re growing. It means you’re stretching. It means you’re becoming.

Give yourself time to acclimate. Comfort will come. Confidence will come. But for now? Be proud of yourself for being in the middle of something brave and beautiful. You’ve got this.

More to Support You in Your Brightest Life & Biz

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