Reinvention is a radical act

The dictionary defines reinvention as “the process through which something is changed so much that it appears to be entirely new.”

Entirely new!

Just reading that gives me a jolt of excitement.

I’ve always been drawn to reinvention.

The appeal of possibility has nudged me toward many, many decisions to move cities, quit jobs, switch careers, launch businesses, end relationships, change friend groups, and start (and stop) hobbies.

As a kid and especially in early adulthood, this bias toward reinvention frustrated me. Sometimes it still does.

Throughout my life I’ve struggled to maintain consistency, establish roots, and stay committed.

In areas where my love of reinvention starts looking more like addiction to restlessness, coaching has helped me become more self-aware and make more supportive choices.

And, it has helped me reframe what I had previously considered a deficiency as something that can work for me—if I allow it to.

This is one of the key ways coaching is beneficial. It provides a dedicated space to explore your patterns and get curious about them instead of judging them.

Coaching helped me see my pattern of reinvention as on-the-ground training for supporting other people in making ambitious transformations.

Framing my story this way completely changed how I think about and talk about myself. It gave me more self-compassion and a greater sense of purpose.

Reinvention is a process

Reinvention can be an external experience—moving to a new town, leaving a stable career to start a business, or quitting an unhealthy habit.

Reinvention also can be an internal experience—showing up in a new way, redefining what you want, or reimagining what’s possible for your life.

A fresh start is always available to you.

If you’re craving a revamp in your life but don’t feel ready to make external changes, start on the inside.

Internal reinvention can feel easier because it doesn’t involve other people. And, it’s ultimately what matters most because strengthening your mindset allows for more sustainable external changes.

That said, if you’re someone who’s quick to act, go ahead and start external.

Through taking actions that change your circumstances, the deeper work of changing your internal landscape naturally starts to unfold.

There is no right or wrong way to reinvent yourself because reinvention is not something you achieve.

Reinvention is a process of tuning into the heartbeat of your ever-changing life so you can call in what you truly desire.

This can require rising above the “shoulds” of dominant and powerful systems. It can mean disappointing people, if your decision to change highlights someone else’s unwillingness to do the same.

No matter the direction or pace, choosing to step into a new version of yourself is a brave and radical act.