For many, the call to pause and sit in stagnancy may feel something like this:
- You suddenly feel stuck, foggy, and unclear about where you are in life and what to do next.
- It feels like no matter what you try or how hard you try, it just never works out the way you planned.
- You feel as though you’re being pulled in 100 different directions and, at the same time, no direction at all.
- You begin to doubt yourself & the Higher Power(s) you believe in and are no longer sure about how accessible your dreams are.
When hitting this wall in life, it can be wildly frustrating and for those of us who are spiritual, there’s a bit more anger because “What the fuck, Spirit?!”
It almost feels like we’re being punished.
But we aren’t.
When Spirit slams the breaks on our life, it’s a necessary call for us to come home, to get us back to ourselves.
To re-evaluate, re-connect, and reassess.
There’s Productivity In Stillness
“So, am I just meant to do nothing?” You’re probably asking.
Yes and no.
Whenever we hit these walls or blockages, we are meant to cease any direct action towards whatever it is we’re striving for at that moment. That’s why no matter what we do, what strategies we create, how resilient we are- Nothing works.
Instead, what we are required to do is come back home to ourselves.
Explained perfectly by Jhene Aiko on the Jay Shetty Podcast. She’s talks about a concept called the “Red Light Meditation”. [Timestamp: 21:23]
The Red Light Meditation states that in life, when we reach moments or seasons that make us stop or “hold” us up, instead of getting frustrated we should instead see it as a moment to take for ourselves.
For me, when I was called to “sit my ass down”, it took time for me to truly understand how this moment of stillness was benefiting me, not hurting me.
When I finally, accepted that my wit couldn’t get me out of this one, I sat with myself. I meditated. I listened.
I found that there were factors in my life that I needed to reassess. Old parts of me that I needed to let go of first like limiting beliefs, people, and responsibilities. Spirit put a hold on my plans so I could take time to let go of what wasn’t in alignment with me.
There were a multitude of things I simply could not take with me to that next level.
And I was unaware until that moment.
It was only when I re-centered that I was able to recognize & release the weights that would have unconsciously burdened me on my way up.
What To Do In Moment Of Stillness
While I first started my *cough* several *cough* months of trying to fight my way out of the thick fog of confusion, I soon accepted my need to pause and did a few things to re-connect with self and find out why I had reached this wall.
Here are a few things I did:
1. Meditation
I know you rolled your eyes but trust me, once you know there’s a good reason behind why you’re feeling blocked, its a bit easier to practice meditating daily when you know there’s answer waiting on the other side.
As you meditate, allow your thoughts to flow. Are there certain thoughts that cause an uncomfortable, physical feeling within your body? In your chest , abdomen, feet, etc.? Follow that thought, investigate it, find its root, uproot it.
2. Journaling
Another eye roll. I understand. But if there was any method that got me back to self, it was this method.
My favorite way of approaching journaling is acting as if I’m having a conversation with Spirit or my Higher self. Some may call this automatic writing.
But it goes something like this:
I’m scared of this period of rest. I feel as though what I’m needing to release is something everyone has already figured out.
So, what if others figured “it” out before you?
For me it means that I’m not smart because everyone else “got it” before me and I’m just now figuring it out.
But aren’t you just as smart because you did end up figuring it out?
I guess but also it’ll mean that I am behind.
Behind on what?
Behind on life. Behind on getting my blessings.
Who said you’re “late” to getting YOUR blessings? And when did this become a race? Where is this competitiveness coming from?…
And that would continue until I discover what limiting belief has been holding me back and where they’re coming from so I can effective work towards releasing them.
The goal to journaling is not only writing down your feelings but asking yourself “why”. Why am I feeling this way? What memory can I trace this make to? What’s the deeper meaning behind it all.
Discovering the “why” may guide you towards major release.
Lastly, when you’re journaling, make sure to document the many epiphanies, messages, and gems you receive in season of rest.
It’s always good to have them written down in case you need future reminders of what you’ve learned.
3. Practice Being Present
One of the biggest reasons for our frustration when being called to pause is our focus on the future.
We’re so consumed about what’s going to happen, where we will be, where we want to be but this period of rest just isn’t a good time for that sort of thinking.
Granted, sometimes reassessing during this period may mean reassessing what it is you truly want but there’s still a level of being present that is required.
Some of my favorite ways of getting myself to remain present is finding pockets of excitement in the mundane.
Playing my favorite songs while I clean, waking up early to do my makeup, heading to my local flower shop for a fresh bouquet, slowing down and indulging in my skincare routine, etc.
Basically, I allow myself to fall into my daily tasks and try to switch things up.
As you practice being present, focus attentively, on what it is you’re doing at the present moment and implement new activities within your daily routine that spark enjoyment.
You may not be able to control much of what’s going on, but how you experience your very present moment is within your control.
4. Have Fun & Be Creative
I believe that when we are our most childlike that is when we are most open to receiving the answers we need. There’s something about being creative and tapping into our inner child that re-centers us in the most Divine way.
And when you think about it, it makes sense why for many Spiritualist connecting with one’s inner child is stressed.
Children are the most open-minded people. Nothing is impossible or too “far out” for them to grasp. It’s why many have a strong connection to the Spiritual world and may even talk about their own, alleged reincarnations.
Childlike energy is the best energy to embody in connecting to the Divine. So have fun!
Whether it be going out with friends, signing up for a pottery class, trying a new recipe, do something that is fun for you.
If you don’t know where to start, go back to your childhood and remember what you liked to do or what you wanted to do as a child.
If remembering your childhood is too upsetting, take this as an opportunity to really adopt a childlike wonderment and try new things.
Google a list of common hobbies and start from the top!
Yes, this period of confusion is not fun, but that doesn’t mean you have to be miserable the entire time. Take some time to laugh, smile, and remind yourself that all is still well.
5. Change Your Perspective
Hopefully this blog post has already helped in this area but the final thing I suggest doing to guide you through your red light moment is to remember: This is happening for you, not to you.
I know it’s frustrating. I know there are a lot of emotions causing a storm within you. Trust me, as someone who has placed their value on being productive, who’s competitive, who hates letting go of control, it sucks.
And, it’s for your greater good.
Knowing this, you’ll be able to cut yourself some slack and remain optimistic.
Know that it will all work out in the end, the way it’s supposed to (ie. in your absolute favor).
You Are The Arrow Being Drawn Back To Propel Forward
One day, during a therapy session, I expressed to my therapist all the decisions I was going to make from an emotional place.
I was feeling the symptoms that come with needing to take a pause and felt something needed to be done.
That I needed to do something. Anything to get me out of this funk.
Being the wonderful therapist she is, she made sure I felt heard then brought me back down to earth.
After telling her that I didn’t know what to do & how confused I felt, she responded, “And maybe there is nothing for you. Maybe all you need to do but be present and take this one day at a time.” She continued to say that sometimes, “taking a pause helps us to take clear action.”
And she’s right.
There’s so power in the pause.
Power in the reflection, the reassessment, and the rest.
Understanding how no action can actually propel us into powerful action is imperative in our individual journeys.
Before I end, I want to leave you with this quote I am paraphrasing from an amazing therapist I follow, Shahem (@shaOVERIT on Twitter), they too were quoting this from another but essentially the quote said:
“Sometimes walls appear so that we may lean on them and rest. So, rest.”
If you’re currently going through a pause in your life and one day find yourself on hold, lean into it.
Feel your frustrations, your anger, your confusion, then let go and lean into your period of rest.
Lean into yourself. Draw all the way back, then shoot forward.
Comment below and tell me how you navigate blockages. Do you see them as a call home? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
