We all have blind spots when it comes to seeing our true selves. Often, we have preconceived notions of who we are and who we want to be. It's common to get stuck in old narratives because they feel like a safe space, allowing us to avoid acknowledging what's right in front of us and what is not working.
When do we finally admit that certain aspects of our lives are not working? What realization do we need to acknowledge when things are not working? Recognizing what's not working is one thing, but taking action to change it is another. What is keeping us so stuck?
We can always say that things are “fine.” We keep busy and go on with our day-to-day lives, but what happens when you realize that’s not all we want it to be? We simply lie and try to cover it up rather than ever acknowledge things are not working. Or we tell ourselves stories to cover up what is really happening.
In the past decade, I have successfully operated a coaching business. I served on the board of directors for a coaching organization for seven years and held the position of president for four of those years. During this time, I actively participated in my community. These experiences contributed to my personal and professional development as a coach and entrepreneur. I was privileged to engage with incredible opportunities and meet inspiring individuals who encouraged me to strive for more and explore new possibilities. My goal was to continue growing and making a meaningful impact to the best of my ability.
I finished my time with the organization at the end of 2023. I was eager for the change, the opportunity to focus on new endeavors and expand my business, and to be honest, the break from the fast pace I had been experiencing during that time was much needed.
As 2024 started, I knew I was burned out, but I didn’t realize just how burned out I really was. My plan and intention were to build my business, write my book, and seek new opportunities. I was going through my day-to-day, going through all the motions, staying busy, and I loved my work. But here is the truth about what was really happening.
I have been feeling so burned out that I started opting for easy and comfortable choices that I knew would still lead to accomplishments and satisfaction. However, I realized that I have not been as connected to my community and peers as I usually am. I have been doing the bare minimum, not putting myself out there, and gradually disengaging without realizing it. Maybe I knew it, but I wasn't admitting it. It's incredible how we often refuse to acknowledge certain things until we are truly ready to see them.
I finally discovered—actually, I admitted what I had been doing. I have been “cocooning.” What is cocooning, you might ask? The definition is “envelop or surround in a protective or comfy way. Retreat from stressful conditions of public life into a cozy private world.”
Over the past seven months, I've been unintentionally cocooning myself. I've been distancing myself from the fast pace I was accustomed to, from fully engaging with people, and from seeking new opportunities. I sensed something was happening to me, but I wasn't sure what it was. Maybe deep down, I knew, but I wasn't ready to acknowledge it then.
I found myself observing my peers and their engagement in the great work they were doing. However, I realized I was merely a spectator, not actively participating as I normally would. I haven't completely disengaged from everything but prioritized some matters more than others. Perhaps I have outgrown certain things and now yearn for something new, although I'm uncertain about what that may be. There are numerous possibilities, but what's important to me is that I'm self-aware and want to take action. I crave change, progress, and a renewal of my identity.
This is an invitation for me to move towards who I want to be and what I want to do in the future. I want to stop avoiding what is right in front of me. I'm becoming curious again (thank goodness); I want to engage, put myself out there, and see where this takes me. I need to take the time to rest, reflect, and recharge. This was a restorative time that I didn't realize I needed and why I needed it. How I went about it might not have been how I wanted to take this time, but this is how it worked out, and this is where this time took me. Sometimes, when you want to grow, you must slow down to speed up again.
I came across a great quote, “ The sooner you can admit what’s swimming below the surface, the sooner you can improve your life. So, own who you are so you can find the best version of yourself.
When do we finally admit that certain aspects of our lives are not working? What realization do we need to acknowledge when things are not working? Recognizing what's not working is one thing, but taking action to change it is another. What is keeping us so stuck?
We can always say that things are “fine.” We keep busy and go on with our day-to-day lives, but what happens when you realize that’s not all we want it to be? We simply lie and try to cover it up rather than ever acknowledge things are not working. Or we tell ourselves stories to cover up what is really happening.
In the past decade, I have successfully operated a coaching business. I served on the board of directors for a coaching organization for seven years and held the position of president for four of those years. During this time, I actively participated in my community. These experiences contributed to my personal and professional development as a coach and entrepreneur. I was privileged to engage with incredible opportunities and meet inspiring individuals who encouraged me to strive for more and explore new possibilities. My goal was to continue growing and making a meaningful impact to the best of my ability.
I finished my time with the organization at the end of 2023. I was eager for the change, the opportunity to focus on new endeavors and expand my business, and to be honest, the break from the fast pace I had been experiencing during that time was much needed.
As 2024 started, I knew I was burned out, but I didn’t realize just how burned out I really was. My plan and intention were to build my business, write my book, and seek new opportunities. I was going through my day-to-day, going through all the motions, staying busy, and I loved my work. But here is the truth about what was really happening.
I have been feeling so burned out that I started opting for easy and comfortable choices that I knew would still lead to accomplishments and satisfaction. However, I realized that I have not been as connected to my community and peers as I usually am. I have been doing the bare minimum, not putting myself out there, and gradually disengaging without realizing it. Maybe I knew it, but I wasn't admitting it. It's incredible how we often refuse to acknowledge certain things until we are truly ready to see them.
I finally discovered—actually, I admitted what I had been doing. I have been “cocooning.” What is cocooning, you might ask? The definition is “envelop or surround in a protective or comfy way. Retreat from stressful conditions of public life into a cozy private world.”
Over the past seven months, I've been unintentionally cocooning myself. I've been distancing myself from the fast pace I was accustomed to, from fully engaging with people, and from seeking new opportunities. I sensed something was happening to me, but I wasn't sure what it was. Maybe deep down, I knew, but I wasn't ready to acknowledge it then.
I found myself observing my peers and their engagement in the great work they were doing. However, I realized I was merely a spectator, not actively participating as I normally would. I haven't completely disengaged from everything but prioritized some matters more than others. Perhaps I have outgrown certain things and now yearn for something new, although I'm uncertain about what that may be. There are numerous possibilities, but what's important to me is that I'm self-aware and want to take action. I crave change, progress, and a renewal of my identity.
This is an invitation for me to move towards who I want to be and what I want to do in the future. I want to stop avoiding what is right in front of me. I'm becoming curious again (thank goodness); I want to engage, put myself out there, and see where this takes me. I need to take the time to rest, reflect, and recharge. This was a restorative time that I didn't realize I needed and why I needed it. How I went about it might not have been how I wanted to take this time, but this is how it worked out, and this is where this time took me. Sometimes, when you want to grow, you must slow down to speed up again.
I came across a great quote, “ The sooner you can admit what’s swimming below the surface, the sooner you can improve your life. So, own who you are so you can find the best version of yourself.