How to know it's time for a big life move, as Holly Willoughby quits ITV's This Morning
Holly Willoughby quits This Morning after 14 years ‘for me and my family’
Holly Willoughby has announced she is stepping down from her role as presenter of This Morning after 14 years on the ITV show.
In a post, shared to social media, the 42-year-old said it was an "honour to just be part of its story", but that she feels "I have to make this decision for me and my family".
Her decision comes after a 36-year-old man was remanded in custody last week charged over an alleged plot to kidnap and murder Willoughby.
"I have let ITV know today that after 14 years, I will not be returning to This Morning," she wrote in an Instagram statement.
"To everyone who has ever worked on the show over the years, thank you so so much.
"This is such a difficult goodbye, you are incredible and I forever will be proud of what we’ve done together."
The mum-of-three went on to thank viewers and her ITV colleagues for all their support, before revealing she had made the decision to leave for her and her family.
"I will miss you all so much. Holly," she signed off her post.
Read more: Holly Willoughby quits This Morning after 14 years ‘for me and my family’ (PA, 4-min read)
How to make a big life decision
While recent events have clearly had an influence on Holly's decision to leave her role, making big life moves is something that impact all of us.
Whether it is leaving a long-term job, moving locations, or even making a life-changing decision about a relationship, making a choice that is going to impact your future is never easy.
"Making significant life decisions, such as a career change or relocation is undoubtedly one of the most complex undertakings," says psychologist Barbara Santini.
"Why? Because it challenges not just the tangible aspects of our lives, but the very fabric of our identities and our perception of stability."
Santini says that fundamentally humans have a deep-rooted fear of uncertainty.
"At the heart of our hesitation to make big moves lies a primal dread of the unknown," she explains. "We aren't merely worried about what we're moving into but also grieving for what we might be leaving behind. It's this emotional tug-of-war that paralyses many of us."
Read more: Holly Willoughby plunges into an ice bath: Benefits of cold water therapy (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
According to Santini, the complexity of social expectations also plays into our hesitancy to make big life decision.
"Society often sets 'benchmarks' for success and stability," she explains. "Stepping outside of these, whether by choice or circumstance, can make us feel vulnerable to judgment, both from others and, more critically, from ourselves."
Thankfully, there are some signs to look out for that could indicate it is the right time for a big life move, including having persistent dissatisfaction with our current circumstances.
"This isn't the occasional bad day; it's a chronic feeling that something isn't right. It's when the thought of your current situation brings more dread than excitement," Santini explains.
She also describes something known as a "value conflict".
"If you find yourself consistently compromising your core values or beliefs for the sake of 'stability' or 'normalcy,' it's a stark sign that change might be essential."
While we all sometimes fantasise about living a different life, if you frequently find solace in imagining that life, Santini says it is more than just daydreaming.
"This is your mind exploring alternatives, trying to find a scenario where your soul feels at home," she explains.
Read more: How to talk about mental health with your mates, after Kate Middleton and Prince William reveal shocking stats (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read)
So, what can we do to make the process run more smoothly?
"If you need to make a large life changing decision, take it slowly and one step at a time," advises neuroscientist Laura Ellera.
"If you try to change everything at once, your nervous system will go into threat mode and you’re then likely to do nothing or make a rash decision."
Ellera suggests taking time to think about the decision when you are calm so that you have access to all areas of your brain.
"Stress diverts blood flow from the areas of your brain that deal with decision making and creative thinking so making decisions in a stressed out state is not optimal," she adds. "Base your decisions on the facts as they are now and not what you wanted them to be.
"A lot of people stay where they are because of the what they had hoped it would be, even if the reality is very different. Ask yourself, is this current path leading me to where and who I ultimately want to be?
"Once you’ve made the decision, and we always know deep down if it feels right, commit to it and put boundaries in place so that you don’t allow other people’s fears to talk you out of it.
"And finally, know that very few things in life are ever irreversible."
