A new season is here. This is just as true for nature as it is for you.
Spring dials up the creative and physical intensity. Ideas and inspiration are usually boundless during this time and you may be feeling pulled to move your body more.
The mind and the spirit were likely the focus of last season; introspection, release of patterns that were no longer helpful to you, clearing out the internal clutter and resetting the nervous system. This season invites the body and the spirit to take center stage.
Spring pulls us to move our bodies more, eat differently (lighter or less perhaps), and our spirits are inspired by the new beginnings we see all around us. That fire in your soul is heating up and you are consciously or subconsciously seeking out ways to fan the flames and use the newly ignited power within.
The energy is inspiring. The creative juices start flowing and you start making plans…lots of plans! You have plans with friends, plans for the side hustle, plans to remodel the house, plans to take the kids to Disney, and plans to go back to school for that certification you’ve been putting off.
Yee haw! You’re off to the races! You are gonna accomplish EVERYTHING.
Pretty soon, all that inspiration has found you paralyzed, stuck on the sidelines saying, “What did I get myself into?!”
Too much too fast? Maybe, but maybe not…
We’ve all been there, feelin’ like a Ferrari that quickly runs out of gas, stuck in the middle of the track with no pit crew, other cars flyin’ by.
It can feel pretty demoralizing. And if you’re like the HSP on the other end of the screen, you can go down a spiral of self-doubt and self-pity quickly.
But hold on. Does this really mean you’re out of the race for good and you can’t pass the finish line? Should you just give up?
Before you throw in the towel completely, take a pause. Assess the situation, the pros and cons of moving forward or not moving forward and make some informed decisions. Starting with:
- Notice your pattern: If you’re in this situation, likely you’ve been in it before. Especially if you are a Highly Sensitive Person. HSPs need to be more aware of how over stimulation and under stimulation can influence their behavior. Ask yourself, what have you noticed in the past regarding similar situations and behaviors? Was it too much too fast? Did you need a different support system in place? Was there too much structure in your plan or not enough? Did you even make a plan? What worked and what didn’t? When did you run out of steam? How many things were you trying to do at once? What is the sweet spot?
- Be realistic: I get it, when you have that burst of inspiration you want to use it. All of it. Now! It feels so powerful, full of potential. And it certainly is, you should use that power! But don’t allow it all to flood in at once causing a jumbled mess in your brain. Look back at your patterns and learn from what worked and what didn’t. If you have been in a place of paralyzation, perhaps you weren’t being realistic about what you could or really wanted to take on. Before you go all in, ask yourself how much time and energy something is going to require for you and see if you are willing to devote that time and energy to making it happen. Don’t judge. There is no good or bad way to do this. And perhaps you move forward with one or two of the items on your list not all five at once. You can get it all done, just give yourself time to do it in a way that works for you.
- Make a plan: Hear me out sensitives and creatives. I’m not asking you to be something your not. However, if you want to keep your energy steady so you can actually get a few things accomplished, you may need to create some structure. Get back in touch with your natural energetic flow and build your plan accordingly. Create during your creative times, rest during your low energy times, plan during your contemplative or analytical times. Listen to your built in energy management system. It tells you exactly what you need.
- Reflect & Reset: Just because you did all this work to make a plan doesn’t mean the plan can’t include some flexibility. When you start feeling antsy that something isn’t working or you need more time, or you can’t do it all, don’t worry. Take a moment to reflect, then zig zag. What isn’t working? What is working? Are old patterns creeping up? What can you do differently? What is the short-term pain for long-term gain? Is it worth it? Is it not? Does the goal need to be restructured in some way, broken down into smaller bits?
- Don’t give up: Whatever you do, don’t give up. Go slower, pause, restructure, build in fun and joy, whatever needs done. You have goals, dreams, and desires for a reason. They are yours to put into this world if you choose. Don’t let a little setback cause you to give up. You can always move forward. Slowly, quickly, whatever way works for you.
Moving forward
Tell me about your patterns. Have you ever found yourself in this situation? What worked and what didn’t?
Reply back to this message and share your story.