The past few months have been somewhat of an insightful experience.

The saying ‘where one door closes, another opens’ is quite applicable – after making a calculated decision to leave my former circumstances lying in the dust where they belong, there have been many new doors that have opened up (and continue to do so). I am beginning to feel more like myself – calm, collected, creative, perceptive and active. It seems as though my mind has gone into hyper-drive after what feels like a very, very long cryogenic sleep.

The effects have been significant – my mental, emotional, physical and psychic well-being has skyrocketed to a new high. I have been able to devote time to thinking, planning, creating and just being.  This was never possible before, as toxic environments tend hold you in limbo, in a never-ending spiral of negativity and drained energy. You could almost liken it to spell-induced slumber or being stuck in the void between space and time. Hardly pleasant – and difficult to escape.

I was lucky – the time was right, as were the factors that lit the fire under me that incited me act. Not react – act.

This concept is key. Don’t react, act. Listen, think, consult if you must, but don’t react to situations. If you act, you retain your personal power. This is something you should never, ever let go of. It is yours – people might try to take it, but it is always there, waiting, even hiding if it must. You may be beaten down, broken, demeaned or (dare I say it) brain-washed into thinking you have no power, but you do. People who try to take your power want obedience. They want putty. They want to mould you into something you are not. They are often power-hungry, and feed off chaos and destruction. They don’t realise that their destructive behaviour will eventually eat them from the inside. They will invariably end up alone, unloved, (most likely) physically ill, and despised. That, however, is their cross to bear (and Karma is a bitch of note). You have a choice – you may think you don’t, but there is always an alternative. You just have to keep looking for it. Sometimes the ‘solution’ will appear on its own (and it often will, when the time is right), as it did for me.

I don’t recommend that you step out of any situation without due thought and consideration – unless it requires immediate action for your safety and that of your loved ones. It’s all about calculated risks. Evaluate them, seek professional advice if necessary, listen to your heart/ gut, take cognisance of what your head is telling you, then act from a position of knowledge and power. For goodness’ sake, ACT. Don’t remain stuck.

The damage from any toxic environment, relationship, etc. takes a long time to heal. The longer you remain in limbo, the longer it takes to find yourself again. Other people can’t do it for you – they can only help by sharing their knowledge, experiences and the methodologies of their own healing process(es). It’s really and truly up to you and you alone. Other people don’t know you – the being that has been waiting to step into the light, cast its shadows aside and show the world its beautiful, glorious self.

So please – don’t remain stuck. Don’t live in fear. Don’t ever think that you are not capable of changing your personal or professional circumstances. Don’t let anyone bring you down – those that do are the real bottom-dwellers, the scum on the bottom of a forgotten pond. You don’t need that in your life, and you certainly don’t deserve it.

While the future remains an unknown, I find that the unknown no longer holds the fear it used to. I believe you will find this out for yourself as your life’s journey continues, if you haven’t already.

If the time is right, take that step off the cliff – you don’t have to hold on to the past anymore, and it most definitely shouldn’t be allowed to hold onto you.