I was thinking about the last few years and how much life I’ve experienced. How much has changed. While I accept that life itself will just keep happening and sometimes there are many challenges, I often marvel at the strength I’ve found in the darkest moments. I tell myself, ‘I am strong.’ I know this to be true, and yet I also know that if I had tried to forge ahead with a brave face every day instead of pausing, allowing myself time and grace, I would not have fared so well.

I think it’s important for us all to know we’re not invisible. Sometimes we feel lonely but we are never alone. Whatever we’re struggling with, learning to take care of ourselves, accepting our limitations and need to recuperate is a small step forwardo.

Let me try to explain.

Life unfolds exactly the way it is meant to. Changing without asking. It is a kindness, so that we don’t have the responsibility of the decision. All that is required of us is acceptance. Acceptance that it will be and will pass. And pass it will, I promise you that.

Being alive means we can experience it, feel it, suffer it even at times. But we can’t stop it, and allowing this realization in our minds helps. It may sound like stating the obvious, but how often do we fight against it instead of riding the wave? Life is not supposed to be easy. It’s also not supposed to be too hard for too long either, and that is why we keep moving. Pausing a while to catch your breath, taking time to think or make decisions, are all fine. When the world feels like it’s slowing enough for you to hop on again, that is nature’s way of taking you by the hand and showing you, you are surviving.

I’m not saying that you have no decisions. That everything that happens is out of your control. Choice is what you have, but the world will carry on regardless. Change carries on without interruption so that even in the mundane or monotonous, nothing stays the same. It’s the slow thinning of the child’s cheek, once so chubby. The joyous tears that fall at a wedding or birth. The day your adult child discovers they haven’t been “home” for a long time. They haven’t spent time with a sibling, slid down the banister or eaten your food. It’s the elation of the promotion. The new land being discovered because of a pay-check.

Nevertheless we are all allowed to feel the overwhelm at times. We should have our struggles acknowledged and needs met. It helps us process and accept the ups and downs. My life is happening to me and yours is happeneing to you. We all have emotions and ways of coping. Making time for self compassion is a must.

Being gentle with yourself as you navigate your choices. You’ll discover the most breathtaking moments of your journey come about when Change plays a hand.

Look out for my next post about practising some simple but essential coping strategies.

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© 2023 Juliette Proffitt