I've been thinking a lot about the pace of life lately. We're all pushing so hard to "get there," to achieve the next big thing, to leave the bad season, to fix ourselves. But what if the secret to growth in our careers, relationships, or healing journeys was more about savoring the present than sprinting toward the future?
Think of it like the difference between instant coffee and a quality, freshly ground cup of coffee. Those who know, know. You don't rush the brew. You need to have the best beans to grind. You grind meticulously. You wait for the hot water to fully saturate the grounds. You let the flavors develop. Some of us like a hit of alcohol, or a shot of flavor. My jam is lavender shots. Two please. You don't drink it all in one gulp; you sit and savor it. You let it warm your hands. It may give you a cozy feeling when it's all done. You see the difference between immediate results and a quick fix?
Over the years, life has handed me its share of plot twists. My life story could be a best seller, or a master class in the come-up. Between an ugly divorce, an unexpected loss, a forced career pivot, and loss after loss, change after change, none of it happened all at once (thank you, Universe), but each was a profoundly humbling moment that truly knocked me to my knees. It gave me severe depression. For a long time, I just wanted to get through it, to skip to the part where everything was "fixed." I never doubted I would get through it; I doubted the when, the how, and the impact of what the defeat would do to my soul.
I was so focused on the profound redirection that I completely took the simple joys of that season for granted. I forgot to appreciate the wonderful things I had while the new things were unraveling. I forgot to learn from the mistakes that got me there in the first place, so I didn’t make those mistakes again. And most importantly, I forgot who I was and lost myself in the process.
Here is the thing I want you to learn from my mistakes. I've learned that you can have both: the redirection and the joy. It's a "both/and" world, not an "either/or." The bitter moments, the unexpected challenges, they were just part of the brew. The beauty I bypassed was in the small, quiet moments: the friend who made me laugh, playing the songs that made me dance to get out of my own head, watching my kids idolize me and want nothing more than to be with me, or the luxury of living in a home I own.
If I could go back and whisper something to my younger self, it would be this: "Don’t forget to enjoy the moments of now. Take your time. What is meant for you will find you. It is an undeniable truth and it always turns out better. So, there is no reason to put unnecessary pressure on yourself to rush, worry about the things out of your control, or burn out. You're not falling behind; you're just being redirected in a way that will make your future self blush."
So, no matter what season you're currently going through growth, winning, or struggle; be caring and kind to yourself. Find the beauty in the messy parts. Savor the things that warm your soul. And most importantly, remember that all things eventually come to an end, good or bad.
Until next time, stay fueled and burn the script and own your story.
XOXOXO Jenny
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