You’ve probably seen others walk away from everything before. They had the success, the family, everything, or so it seemed from an outsider’s perspective. The reality of other people’s lives is that you never quite know what’s happening behind closed doors.

One person who appears to have it all may feel like their soul is slowly dying. That they’re slowly starting to lose everything that they once were. One person who looks like they’ve got it all may feel as if they have nothing.

When this type of feeling happens, even the most successful and “happy” people have to make a choice to walk away from everything. This is in hopes that they can rejuvenate their soul. Many people are scared to walk away from everything, but I’ve done it many times.

I’ve walked away from everything quite a few times in my life. I’ll be the first to admit and realize that some of these moments were me simply running away from something that got too scary or serious (in a good way). Other times, I walked away from everything to find my sparkle again or to save my health from a not-so-good situation.

So, how do you walk away from everything? You just make that choice. The key is to make sure that you’re doing it for the right reasons. I didn’t feel like I had any choice a few times when I walked away from everything because …

I was lost.

I was sad.

I was mad.

I was bitter.

I was heartbroken.

I was in poor health for the situation wasn’t a good fit.

You name it, I felt it! I was in a bad spot and tried so hard to just fix myself quickly. I had to make a difficult choice given difficult circumstances with each time. I had to walk way from everything just to reset the clock and myself. I had to trust my gut that this was the right choice.

Fast forward … I thought I was doing good. I found a place. It was a little unsettling living so close to another person again, but I needed to be with my kids again. They had been staying with their Dads and I missed them. Sadly, I have to remember that during this time my guard was down. I was only on a mission to get back with my kids. I missed them with all my heart.

I either wasn’t ready or chose the wrong place/environment.

Whatever the reasons. I started to sink downward in health eventually having to go to the ER to find out I could have had a stroke.

I was scared.

I was sad.

I was disappointed.

I felt defeated.

I didn’t know what to do.

I walked away from everything. Again. This time, I didn’t walk away from my kids though, thank God. I found myself homeless, yet again, but this time it was seriously homeless. Living in tents, hotel rooms on occasion, and ultimately two vehicles with my younger two kids (they’re teens/preteen). My oldest opted to stay at her dad’s house, and that broke my heart, but I respected my oldest child’s decision to not be homeless. Living in tents, hotel rooms and a car wasn’t going to work for my oldest child and I knew that.

I walked away from everything that I owned, keeping minimal things. I left so much behind. So much meaning materialistic items. I walked away to save my life, my health, and my family once again.

Walking away from everything seems so scary at first, but the thing is, it really isn’t that bad. Sure it can be a blow to your pride, sleeping in vehicles was surely a hit to us as parents, but the thing is?! We all became closer during our homeless days.

Walking away from everything taught us survival skills. Helped my health get back to normal. Want to know a fun fact? My anxiety was LOWER during our homeless days, not knowing where we’d sleep day to day than it was living where I had been living previously. Crazy, right?!

So while I don’t condone walking away from everything as often as I’ve had to the last few years, I can say that when you make a decision to walk away from everything just make sure it’s a decision that’s going to help you grow as a person. Walking away from everything will change you, it may change you for the better if you use this option correctly. It may change you for the worse.

We all have a choice each day. I hope that your choices are a reflection of a person who’s seeking to find who they are again. As we get older we experience a lot of changes, I’ve had so many in the last few years, so have my kids. I don’t think we need any more drama or trauma.

Here’s hoping that walking away from everything has changed us enough to solidify the family bond so that no matter what difficulties arise, we’ll always remember that time we didn’t know where we’d sleep or eat day to day, and yet here we are in a home, with warmth, and a family reunited to get a second chance at this life together.

If you’re going to walk away from everything, please don’t do so scared. Do it from a place of inspiration and guts. Do it because you need to do it so that you can be a better person. Have faith in who you are and what you need to rejuvenate your soul and find yourself again. Also, remember to keep those who matter close by, walking away from everything doesn’t mean removing those who are truly good in your life.

If you find yourself facing homelessness, abuse, or any other situation that may have you feeling like you must walk away from everything please consult a therapist. Counselors can do wonders to help you sort through the many thoughts that tend to run through your mind during this difficult time.

Don’t be afraid to talk to a counselor and someone close to you. They will be able to better help you sort out all of the options and thoughts to ensure you make a decision that helps you grow stronger, healthier, and happier.