New beginnings... They can be full of life, excitement, joy, uncertainty, adventure, pain, and even despair.

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Throughout our lives, we experience countless new beginnings. Some are choices we make for ourselves, while others are completely out of our control.

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No matter how they come about, every new beginning is significant. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by one, that's okay. You never have to apologize for feeling the weight of change.

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Here are 10 new beginnings that immediately come to mind for me:

1. Starting high school

2. Seeing Wicked for the first time

3. Getting married

4. Going back to college at 28

5. Moving back in with my parents

6. Changing my last name to Davidson

7. Talking to my Oma for the last time

8. Getting back on stage

9. Meeting Aidan

10. Choosing to prioritize my mental, emotional, and physical health
     

I'm sure I could add dozens more to this list. The truth is, new beginnings happen every single day—sometimes in ways we don't even notice.

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The last few weeks have been filled with new beginnings that I feel incredibly blessed and privileged to experience.

I'm working on one of my all-time favourite musicals, The Clockmaker's Daughter, with the astounding Singer's Theatre (get your tickets today). I accepted a long-term, part-time contract developing marketing strategy for a financial company. And Aidan and I officially signed the lease on our first home together—we get to start building our life there this October.

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All exciting. All a little daunting. And all opportunities that I know will bring growth.

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What amazes me most, though, is comparing how I feel now to how I would have felt just one year ago.

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About a year ago, my doctor and I had a conversation about anxiety. After completing an assessment, I was diagnosed with anxiety, along with some depressive tendencies. His recommendation was therapy and trying medication to see if one—or a combination of both—would help.

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Therapy has become something I consistently prioritize. I have to admit, though, that there have been times when I've stopped taking my medication. Every single time, I notice a huge difference.

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The Hannah of a year ago would have been overwhelmed by these three new beginnings. She would have questioned every decision, overthought every possibility, and convinced herself that the worst-case scenario was just around the corner.

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The Hannah of today still knows that change can be scary, but she also knows she's capable. She's ready for these new challenges. She's not losing sleep over them. And at the end of the day, she's proud of herself—not because everything has been perfect, but because she's continued to grow, learn, and keep moving forward, even through the mistakes.

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So here's to new beginnings.

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To the exciting ones, the heartbreaking ones, the uncertain ones, and the beautiful ones.

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Because every new beginning, in its own way, has the power to change us for the better.