In Transition & Feeling Stuck? 5 Gentle Reminders
Right before I went out on my own to launch Career Strategists, my first coaching/consulting firm, I remember feeling frustrated, stuck and anxious at my job as a marketing communications executive. After 15 years in the field, I was ready for a BIG change–one that felt more service driven–I just wasn’t sure which path was right for me.
In keeping with my old type A, “I’m going to make this career change happen,” approach, I planned a vacation to Mexico with husband and demanded that the Universe bring me the answer by the time we returned from our trip! (Sadly, my timeline and the Universe’s were not in sync.) I laugh now at how silly and audacious this seems. Yet, I also feel deep empathy for my old self who was so uncomfortable with uncertainty, she attempted to force an outcome.
Being in transition can be challenging. But it doesn’t have to be painful.
The last five years have changed how everyone thinks about everything and it’s given us the chance to practice living in the unknown. I’ve learned that when we’re navigating uncertainty, we have two choices: be paralyzed by our feelings around “not knowing,” OR allow ourselves to open up to what’s possible.When we embrace the latter, we have the opportunity to access tremendous potential and even excitement for what could be.
Today when clients and friends feel stuck and come to me for support, I encourage them to embrace rather than fight the unknown. Here are five things that have helped me (and thousands of clients) when asking, “What’s next?”
Trust the timing. I follow the voice of my Wise Self and take deeply guided baby steps, but I don’t force things to happen. I trust there is a Universal timing unfolding and when all the pieces are there, they WILL come together. I learned through years of coaching thousands of men and women through transitions that invariably, this is always the case. You’re not ready until you’re ready.
Self-compassion changes everything. When I find myself becoming overwhelmed or generating self-defeating thoughts, I put my hand on my heart and take a deep breath. I step back and take a 30,000-foot view, assessing everything that I’ve got on my plate and acknowledging all the things I am doing well to help myself, my family and others.
How you start your day is how you do your day. No matter how rushed or packed my day is, I always take some time to enter the next 15 hours with intention. For me, that usually looks like moving my body and then doing a 20-minute meditation to open myself up to what my heart -not just my head- most wants me to hear.
Don’t forget to ask for support. I constantly hear my dad saying, “Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change.” Letting yourself be vulnerable enough to reach out for a new perspective, some valuable mentoring, or to just admit you’re feeling lost–can be liberating and replenishing. Check out our online retreats for mentoring or search my online articles or books for free support exercises!
Give yourself what you need. When we take the time to tune in (and respond) to what we most need — whether that be a walk after work or asking for a referral for a therapist — we befriend ourselves. We feel like we’ve got our own back. Check out my blog to where I share some of the practices I’m adopting during this time of transition.
Be kind to yourself this week and move slow. And let me know what helps you through times of transition. We’re all in this together. Let me know how I can support you.
Warmly,
IN TRANSITION AND ASKING, “WHAT’S NEXT?” I’D LOVE TO SUPPORT YOU!
- *NEW* March 20-22nd for Awakening Your Wild Soul: Women’s Self-Renewal Retreat at 1440 Multiversity in the CA redwoods (photo above) ~ an embodied spirituality retreat filled with joyful song, pleasureful movement and deep nature immersions with 1,000 year-old trees; learn more/ register.
- Want support for facilitating women’s groups/retreats? Check out Secrets to Facilitating Life-Changing Women’s Groups/Retreats ~ an online, self-paced training & mentoring course. Only $195. Learn more/enroll here.
- *Available for a limited time* ~ Solace: A Deep Rest Virtual Retreat ~ Winter is here. You’re invited to slow down, go inward and relax in silence. Enjoy this 2.5 hour meditative virtual retreat 24/7 from the comfort of your home. Includes a long Yoga Nidra session. View this offering and all our online retreats here (starting at $49).
- Live in the Southeast or near North Carolina? Join me in the NC Blue Ridge Mountains for a Wild Souls Adventure: authentic movement classes, community song circles, full moon hikes, meditation/resiliency workshops, women’s circles & more or have me design a custom experience/ritual for your team/friends: learn more. Join us Sunday, February 8th & 15th for our next public Wild Souls Authentic Movement class in Brevard, NC; learn more here.
