I’m in that in-between space again. The one I call “limbo-land.”
The space between “no longer” and “not yet” (as Life Coach, Nancy Levin calls it).
That I was ready to let go of.
A few old habits and routines.
That weren’t healthy.
A relationship that wasn’t serving me anymore.
And to move on.
…
Years ago while going through my divorce, my therapist suggested I do an exercise about my parents.
I was working through some stuff around my own marriage, as well as the one that had been role-modeled to me by my mom and dad.
The exercise involved taking two pieces of paper and drawing a vertical line down the middle of each.
At the top of one column I wrote “my father.” And at the top of the other, “my mother.”
On one of the papers I listed all the traits I liked about my parents. On the other, all the ones I didn’t.
One I’ve never forgotten.
…
About a month ago – or “BTP” (before the pandemic) – I created a YouTube video called Start Before You’re Ready.
Given the climate at the time, the video was light and encouraging. It was meant to inspire you to overcome your fear of imperfection, failure/success, or procrastination.
To do the very thing you love. No matter what.
Before you’re ready.
Since that time the whole world has shifted. But I’ve come to realize that those words “start before you’re ready” couldn’t be more relevant. Or more true.
Or more important than they are at this time.
Years ago, a thoughtful manager of mine introduced me to the power of self-compassion.
She wrote “be gentle on your soul” inside a beautiful journal she’d given me as a going away gift.
I was young and full of hope.
Both excited and nervous about taking such a huge leap of faith, into the unknown.
I’ve never forgotten how good it felt to open the cover of that journal, and read her words for the very first time.
Be gentle on your soul.
Ahhhhhh.
They resonated deep within me.
And gave me the permission, I unknowingly craved, to treat myself more kindly. As I took risks, and moved forward into the uncharted territory of my life.
…
