Why Every Ending Could Be the Start of Your Best Chapter Yet

There’s something both terrifying and liberating about a closed door. When life forces us out of the familiar and into the unknown, it rarely feels convenient. But often, it’s those very endings that make space for our greatest beginnings.

Henry Cloud, in his book Necessary Endings, reminds us that endings aren’t failures — they’re part of a healthy growth cycle. Just like a gardener prunes healthy branches to make room for better fruit, we sometimes need to cut away good things to make space for the right things.

But here’s the tension: most of us don’t like endings.

We cling to relationships that have run their course.

We stay in jobs that no longer align with our calling.

We keep habits and routines that used to serve us but now keep us stagnant.

Why? Because endings are uncomfortable. Yet, if we can learn to see them for what they truly are — opportunities — we can start viewing them as gifts rather than punishments.

The Job That “Fell Through”

I once knew someone who had their dream job in sight. They’d gone through multiple interviews, the conversations felt promising, and they were already envisioning their new office. Then came the email: “We’ve decided to go with another candidate.”

At first, it stung. But three months later, a different opportunity opened — one that aligned perfectly with their passions, values, and skillset. Looking back, they realized the first “dream job” would have been a poor fit. The closed door was necessary for the better door to open.

Why Necessary Endings Matter

If you never end anything, you risk living in the land of “almost.” Almost fulfilled. Almost thriving. Almost making a difference.

Necessary endings free up:

• Time – We can’t say “yes” to the right things if we’re overcommitted to the wrong things.

• Energy – Stale situations drain us; fresh starts revive us.

• Focus – Letting go of what doesn’t align clears our vision for what does.

Just like seasons in nature, our lives have cycles. If we resist the end of winter, we’ll never experience the fullness of spring.

Recognizing When an Ending Is Necessary

How do you know it’s time to close a chapter? Ask yourself:

1. Is it producing good fruit? — If a relationship, role, or habit consistently yields frustration instead of growth, it may be time to let it go.

2. Has it aligned with your purpose in the past, but no longer does? — Something that served you well in one season may not belong in the next.

3. Are you holding on out of fear? — Fear of the unknown is a poor reason to stay in a situation that’s no longer right.

The Beauty of New Beginnings

Every necessary ending creates space for something new. And new beginnings are where hope lives.

Think about it:

• The end of a toxic work culture can lead to a role where your gifts shine.

• The end of an unhealthy relationship can lead to deeper friendships and restored self-worth.

• The end of a long-standing but ineffective process can open the door to innovation and efficiency.

In Scripture, Isaiah 43:19 reminds us of God’s heart for new beginnings: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” God specializes in fresh starts.

A Practical Roadmap for Navigating Endings and Beginnings

Here’s how to walk through this process with clarity and confidence:

1. Name the Ending – Don’t sugarcoat it. Say it out loud: “This chapter is closing.”

2. Grieve What Was – Even good endings can be bittersweet. Acknowledge the loss so you can move forward without carrying unprocessed emotion.

3. Define What You Want Next – New beginnings are easiest when you know your values, priorities, and non-negotiables.

4. Take the First Step – The unknown feels overwhelming until you take action. One step leads to another.

5. Stay Open to Surprise – Sometimes the next chapter doesn’t look like what you expected — and that’s a good thing.

The Friendship That Shifted

I knew someone who had a close friendship for years. But as life changed, so did the dynamic. What was once mutual and encouraging became one-sided and draining. Eventually, they made the hard decision to create distance.

Months later, they found themselves surrounded by a community that truly sharpened them. The ending had been painful, but it cleared the path for life-giving relationships that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.

Endings are not the enemy. They are the doorway to what’s next. If you’re standing at the threshold of change right now, take heart — a closed door isn’t rejection; it’s redirection.

The beauty of new beginnings is that they often surprise us, exceed our expectations, and grow us in ways we never imagined. But they can only happen when we’re willing to let go of what’s holding us back.

If you’re in a season of change — unsure of what to release and what to pursue — I help leaders, teams, and individuals navigate endings and step confidently into new beginnings.

📩 Let’s start the conversation at natcrawford.com