The journey to find ourselves is often a winding path—one that leads us to unexpected places, both outwardly and within. Mine started in 2021, yet it was the intentional journey I embarked on at the beginning of 2023 that truly set things in motion. It was then that I committed to doing the deep inner work: facing the parts of myself I’d ignored, embracing grace, and letting go of anything harmful. On that first day of the year, I took a trip that set the tone for my healing—a trip that included a stop at Crabtree Falls in Virginia. At the time, it felt like the right beginning.
Now, nearly two years later, I found myself on a similar route, heading south but with an entirely different heart and mindset. I hadn’t planned to return to Crabtree Falls as a symbolic gesture; it just happened to fall along my path. But as I stood there once more, breathing in the crisp air and watching the water cascade down, I realized it was much more than a coincidence. It felt like I was closing a chapter.
This return to Crabtree Falls held weight I hadn’t anticipated. Back in 2023, it was a place that represented all the work I needed to do, all the pieces of myself I needed to examine. This time, it represented what I had achieved—each moment of honesty, each decision to move forward rather than stay stuck, and each commitment to break free from the parts of my life that no longer served me. Driving away, I felt a deep sense of peace. This was closure. This was healing.
The journey of the last two years wasn’t easy. I had to be brutally honest with myself, taking responsibility for the role I played in clinging to past traumas and creating a life that, while financially secure, didn’t fulfill me. The most challenging part was recognizing that if I wanted to find the life meant for me—the one that fed my soul—I would have to make drastic changes. I would have to step out of my comfort zone, to explore who I truly am and what truly brings me joy.
And so, leaving Crabtree Falls this time was different. I drove away not with the urgency of a healing journey just beginning, but with the peaceful finality of knowing that part of my life was healed. I didn’t need to linger or try to recreate the feelings of that first visit; I could simply acknowledge that I had come full circle. I was ready to leave that chapter behind.
Life is full of these full-circle moments if we pay attention. They serve as gentle reminders of how far we’ve come, how much we’ve grown, and how resilient we really are. My journey is far from over, but I know I’m starting the next chapter stronger, more self-aware, and more aligned with the life I’m meant to lead. Revisiting Crabtree Falls helped me honor the work I’ve done, and, in doing so, it allowed me to move forward with a full heart and an open mind.
As I continue this path, I carry the lessons learned and the strength I’ve gained, grateful for this moment of closure that has set me free to embrace what’s next.
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Final Thoughts:
Sometimes, it’s the places we return to that show us just how much we’ve changed. Crabtree Falls will always be special to me. It’s a symbol of my commitment to healing, growth, and the promise of what lies ahead.
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