Feel stuck? Find Your Momentum When You’ve Lost Your Way
Feel stuck? Find Your Momentum When You’ve Lost Your Way
Science indicates a list of top stressors; ones that put people over the top. I’ve had all but two this year.
Moving across country, my career as a homeschool mom ending, children leaving home, becoming empty nesters. Those are just the ones my muddled brain easily recall.
I’ve been stuck. Stagnant. Stifled.
The changes made my head spin. Then, more came around the bend.
Why do we get stuck?
I don’t see the changes coming, perhaps, and I derail temporarily when they hit. Life has been like an overloaded coal train.
I wipe my brow and load more coal, my cars transporting behind me.
I am shaken when I don’t get the messages in time to set down the shovel and grip the squeaky brakes. Slowing down to absorb the changes and avoid derailment.
Slowing down to absorb the changes and avoid derailment.
To rest without filling the newly empty time slots, to reconnect with my husband as we are suddenly a family of two again, and to consider what plans God has for Middle Age 2.0.
We women tend to keep moving without allowing sufficient time to truly feel the changes, don’t we? Perhaps hoping that in the movement we’ll avoid the hard feelings? I know I am guilty of this.
We Tend to Forget This And Keep Chugging Along
Chugging along, my arms shovel in more fuel. They grow weary but the fire stays steady.
Coals of moving across the country, selling and buying a home, ending our homeschool journey, graduating our youngest, having our oldest leave home for a world mission trip, and our youngest packing to leave in a few short weeks for college.
The coal scuttle leaves dust on my hands and marks under my fingers from the strain of trying to lift them.
The sweat of change drenches my hair and drips down my face.
I haven’t taken enough moments to stick my head out of the engine window and feel the breeze upon my face. To let the winds of patience blow the soot off to reveal my smile.
When we chug along without noticing the changing scenery? We miss the sensations of joy that are ours for the taking. But…we have to purpose to notice them. Stop chugging and start embracing the unique moments change brings.
How do you get out of feeling stuck?
My furnace burns with good and interesting and yes, painful things. Time to let the fire die down a bit.
Take a deep breath and reach up to pull the lever that allows me to switch tracks.
The new view is going to be unfamiliar. Some days I’ll travel through the stark and barren land as I adjust my course. Most days the wonders of new and exciting adventures will be in the air. Tickling my face as I smile into the sun and lean out the window.
Breathing deep. Curious.
Are you afraid of change? Do you feel stuck?
Uncertain of the tracks you are on?
Have you begun a map of sorts to help you find your way?
It will be exciting embarking on the next phase. I have a map, some areas are still a bit smudged, but by the time the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Eve, my map will be complete.
This map allows for stops along the way. Small route changes when necessary. But, it will be progressive momentum towards pursuing a life well-lived.
Pit stops for self-care such as health. Time to read. Placing phone calls with neglected friendships. Detailed action steps that will bring about creative outlets and business pursuits.
All the places a good map needs to give us a journey we want to be on.
Get out of your rut
My word this coming year will be MOMENTUM. It lines up with the next stage of life. Let me share with you a secret. This is my own private statement about 2017, to help you get an idea of how motivating it can be to have a real goal set before you:
I am creating a business that will be a personal creative outlet while encouraging others (and myself) towards positive progressive momentum towards embracing an imperfect life. The blog will provide fresh, relevant resources that accomplish this through art, books and printables.
Ready To Climb Aboard?
The creative train is preparing to leave the station.
We can travel alongside each other. If life feels like there is precious room for your dreams, I promise you there is value in choosing to know where you are going. You’ll feel a calm as you live your days, knowing that you are on the right track for the right season.
Tracks change. With a teensy bit of planning, the next journey can be anticipated with a deep and insatiable curiosity.
Children leaving the home, and a new season alone with my husband can sound exciting. This region of the country allows us proximity to a family we didn’t have before. Ending homeschooling will open up time for new ideas to take root and thrive.
Past experiences are wonderful, treasured. But they aren’t the end of the journey. Just amazing places we’ve visited along the way.
There are two things to do next: First, sign up today for more inspiration and encouragement as we travel together. Click the box below and you’ll be in like Flynn.
Second, download this free printable about feeling stuck in lifeto help you find your momentum! As a subscriber, you’ll also receive a fantastic worksheet set to help you in an even more detailed way.
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Hi Pat! Absolutely, I’d love for you download that. See at the bottom of the post where the text changes to red and says “Finding your motivation” printable? Just click that link and the screen should pop up for you to print off. Let me know if something doesn’t work…
What a timely message! My mom just recently went through this same season and processed it with me.
Like you said, it’s so easy to get lost in the business to avoid those hard feelings of change. But I’ve learned it’s okay to be honest with those feelings so that the Lord can come in and heal and reveal all we need to see.
I could only imagine what a big change it is to become an empty nester. I will experience that one day. But, embracing the change and the tiny moments along the way seems like a wonderful way to experience life to its fullest!
Im already a subscriber but would like the free momentum printable
Hi Pat! Absolutely, I’d love for you download that. See at the bottom of the post where the text changes to red and says “Finding your motivation” printable? Just click that link and the screen should pop up for you to print off. Let me know if something doesn’t work…
What a timely message! My mom just recently went through this same season and processed it with me.
Like you said, it’s so easy to get lost in the business to avoid those hard feelings of change. But I’ve learned it’s okay to be honest with those feelings so that the Lord can come in and heal and reveal all we need to see.
This is beautifully said, Christa!
Your mom was very wise to process it alongside you Kaitlin, perhaps that will help you understand how normal your feelings are when the time comes?
I know that my own girls have seen me really, really raw. I’ve said and done it wrong..right…but always authentically. They have been so gracious.
Bless you Kaitlin!
I could only imagine what a big change it is to become an empty nester. I will experience that one day. But, embracing the change and the tiny moments along the way seems like a wonderful way to experience life to its fullest!
Hi Ludavia!
Thanks for visiting today. You are so right! Life zooms along, which is funny, since some parts seem painstakingly slow 🙂
How wonderful it would be if we were taught the tools to embrace change from a young age. Perhaps though, it must be part of the journey.
Blessings to you!