The Seasons of Purpose: Letting Go to Live Fully

Nancy Waring • 15 September 2025

As autumn approaches, I find myself reflecting on the cycles of life. Living in South Florida, the change of seasons isn’t as obvious as it was when I lived farther north. There are no bright red leaves or crisp air to mark the shift. But even here, there’s a subtle change — shorter days, a different light in the sky, a quiet invitation to pause.

Every season has its own rhythm — planting, flourishing, releasing, even moments of stillness. And just as the seasons move, so do we.

For much of my life, I never thought much about purpose at all. I simply did what was expected — worked hard, raised a family, kept moving forward. But now, with age and experience, I see purpose differently. It shifts. It moves in cycles, just as we do.

And maybe you’ve noticed this, too. As one chapter of your life has given way to another, have you ever felt the nudge to ask: What is this season asking me to release?

The Cycles We Live

In every stage of life, there are seasons:

Seasons of planting new seeds — beginning fresh chapters, trying what’s unfamiliar, daring to grow again.
Seasons of flourishing — pouring energy into family, work, or community, often without pausing to ask why.
Seasons of letting go — releasing roles, beliefs, emotions, or identities that no longer serve us.
Seasons of stillness — quieter times that invite rest, reflection, and integration, allowing what’s next to take root.

These seasons repeat. Each brings lessons, challenges, and its own kind of purpose.

The Signs It’s Time to Release

Person on scale, using calculator next to healthy foods, with text:

Letting go doesn’t always come easily. Sometimes we only realize it’s needed when the body or spirit begins to whisper:

A sense of restlessness — like you’re moving but not moving forward.
Tension in the body — a tight jaw, heavy shoulders, or an unsettled chest.
Sadness or confusion — emotions that linger without a clear cause.
A quiet sense of loss — as if you’re carrying something that no longer belongs to you.

These aren’t signs of weakness. They’re invitations. They are reminders that a new season may be arriving, and that something must be released so something new can grow.

The Gift of Letting Go

As we step into autumn, nature offers its own wisdom. Trees let go of their leaves not because they didn’t matter, but because holding on would keep them from resting and preparing for what’s next.

As Rumi wrote:

“Try to accept the changing seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the changing seasons that pass over the fields.”

Letting go doesn’t always mean seeking something new to replace what has been released. Sometimes the gift is simply the space it creates — the way life feels lighter, simpler, more at ease.

When we put down old stories, beliefs, or expectations, what we already have can appear different — as if seen through fresh eyes. Relationships can feel softer. The body can feel more forgiving. The ordinary moments of life can feel less like a struggle and more like something to savor.

Letting go washes us clean. It doesn’t erase the past; it renews the present. It allows us to see with clarity what has been here all along.

My Own Season of Release

For decades, my purpose was clear: I was a speech pathologist. I sat with children and adults, helping them find their voices again. That work shaped me, and I will always hold it with gratitude.

But over time, I felt another season begin. To stay would have been safe, but it also would have kept me from growing. I had to let go of that identity so I could step into a new one — guiding women through breath, movement, and inner wisdom.

That release wasn’t easy. It carried grief, uncertainty, and questions about who I was without that role. But in the letting go, space opened. And in that space, a new season of purpose took root.

Living With Purpose in Every Season

Living with purpose is one of the five pillars I return to again and again. And what I’ve learned is this: purpose isn’t about clinging to a single identity. It’s about aligning with who we are now and letting go of what no longer serves.

I’ve also found that with age, this idea of living with purpose evolves even more. It isn’t always as easy to identify as it may have been when I was younger. For me, it requires a conscious pause — a willingness to re-evaluate and listen again to what matters most in this season.

That shift didn’t erase my past. It added to it. And it reminded me that every season — whether of planting, flourishing, letting go, or stillness — has its own purpose.

So maybe the better question isn’t “What is my purpose?” but rather:

What am I holding onto that I am ready to release?
What limiting belief, old role, or heavy emotion could I let go of — so I can flourish, create space, and live with more ease?

Sometimes letting go isn’t about finding something new. It’s about discovering strength, compassion, and clarity in what’s already here.

Because when we honor the cycles — growing, releasing, and pausing when needed — we begin to live more authentically, more wisely, and with more freedom.

Closing Thought

I’d love to hear from you. Comment below or send me a message.

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This exploration of how it holds us back will be a powerful part of our journey at the Vibrant Sage Wellness & Reset Retreat in Costa Rica — a soul-nourishing escape designed to help you release what no longer serves you and step into the light of your truest self. I’d love for you to join us. HERE

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Let’s keep clearing space for thoughts that empower us, not limit us. Let’s choose joy,

energy, purpose—and make this season our most vibrant yet.

Here’s to big dogs, little puppies, and the joy of unexpected connections,

Nancy

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