The Art of Starting Over Part 2: Saying Hello to Goodbye

Saying goodbye isn’t easy. Whether it’s because of death, a move to another country, divorce, or even stepping into the next stage of life, goodbyes can be emotional. The hardest part is figuring out what to do with those emotions—especially when they don’t seem to fade.

That’s what happened to a client of mine. She struggled with goodbyes until she realized the real issue wasn’t letting go—it was fear. What helped her most was learning that saying hello to something new could make saying goodbye a little easier.

This isn’t a romantic love story—at least not the kind you’re thinking. It’s the story of Anita, a hardworking woman who became an empty nester.

Anita’s Quest

Anita had spent decades raising two boys on her own after her husband, a police officer, died in the line of duty. She worked a corporate job she hated, but it gave her stability to raise her sons and set herself up for retirement.

By the time she turned 60, both her sons were grown, with the youngest finally moving out after getting married. That marriage brought Anita a new daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter on the way.

Raising boys was a joy, but Anita found herself enjoying the bond with her daughter-in-law, who introduced her to gardening. The idea of gardening had always interested Anita, but she never had the time. Now, with early retirement and a new family connection, she was learning and loving something new.

The Fear Behind the Dreams

But Anita’s turning point came when she began having vivid dreams about dying. In her dreams she saw her funeral, heard the goodbyes, and woke up terrified. At first she thought she was afraid of death itself.

In our work together, she realized the truth: she wasn’t afraid of death—she was afraid of dying before she really lived. She was also afraid of saying goodbye to the only lifestyle she knew. Dreams aren’t usually literal, so I had to help Anita break down the meaning behind the dream.

Her words were powerful: “This job is killing me.” That’s what she told me in one of our retreat sessions. This was another part of what her subconscious brain was telling her through her dreams.

The stress, the schedule, the constant pressure—cortisol pumping through her veins for years—was draining the life from her. The dreams weren’t warnings about the end of life, but about the risk of never fully living it.

Saying Goodbye, Saying Hello

Anita needed to say goodbye to many things: the stress of her job, the arguments with her siblings, the grief she carried for decades, and the habit of putting herself last.

But every goodbye made room for a new hello. Hello to her daughter-in-law. Hello to gardening. Hello to a granddaughter she couldn’t wait to meet. Hello to peace, forgiveness, and a SelfCare routine that finally fit her needs and desires.

Her story is a reminder that retirement isn’t just an end to your schedule and lifestyle, it’s a redesign. Anita adjusted so she could meet herself where she was currently. She embraced what life offered her now, and created a new rhythm that worked for her.

She’s no longer kept awake at night. She forgave her husband for leaving too soon, forgave herself for waiting so long to care for herself, and found the courage to enjoy life differently.

What About You?

How much of Anita’s story sounds familiar to you? When was the last time you adjusted your lifestyle and SelfCare routine like for you? Is it something you need to say hello to?

If you’re having bad dreams like Anita or just can’t seem to sleep, you may want to try my free sleep tool. You don’t have to lie awake at night wrestling with fears. You can sleep peacefully again, maybe for the first time in many years. I’ve helped over 6,000 people gain control of their emotions, and I bet it can help you too.

When you download it, I’ll even follow up with a text to see if it worked. If it doesn’t, I’ll help you find something that will. After 30 years of research and my own battles with sleepless nights, I’ve learned the solution is syncing with yourself. You may not know how to do that on your own, but that’s where I come in. When you are ready that is.

Right now, my goal is to help 10,000 people sleep better. Will you be one of them?
Here’s the link again, you can thank me later. And I’ll thank you now for helping me reach my goal. Sleep well!