“I wish I could go back to the way things were…”

Sometimes, when life hits us with an unexpected loss, change, or revelation, it feels like we’ve been shaken awake from a dream we didn’t even realise we were in. The comforting certainty we once held—the “rules” of how life works, the roles we play, the people we depend on—can suddenly feel fragile, even illusory.

This sense of disorientation can lead us to long for the past, wishing we could slip back into the comforting rhythm of “how things were.” In essence, we wish we could fall asleep again—back into the dream where life felt simpler, more predictable, and more secure.

But what if this awakening, as painful as it is, also holds an invitation? What if it’s a step toward realising something deeper—that while the old world may have dissolved, we now have the capacity to create a new one? To see reality not as something fixed, but as something we can shape and engage with intentionally.

This isn’t an easy process. It requires courage to sit with the uncertainty, to grieve what was lost, and to begin imagining new possibilities. But in doing so, we can move from merely surviving the world to actively participating in its creation.

If you’ve ever felt like the ground beneath your feet has disappeared and found yourself longing for “the way things used to be,” you’re not alone. But perhaps this is also an opportunity to take a step forward—not back.

Have you ever experienced a moment that shattered your sense of certainty? I’d love to hear your thoughts.