Navigating the In-Between: What Do You Need Right Now?
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Chapter 1: Embracing Uncertainty
There are moments—sometimes stretching into weeks—when it feels as though I'm wandering aimlessly. Transitioning from one thought to another, I find myself in these unclear phases that I’m still trying to decipher. This often occurs during significant transformations, whether entering or exiting what one might call a cocoon phase—essentially, a liminal space.
Suddenly, my perspective shifts; what once brought me joy or significance seems diminished, leaving me feeling lost and without direction. The way we navigate different life stages often mirrors our mindset.
This state can actually be quite liberating, serving as a gentle nudge towards a change in focus—an opportunity to explore with curiosity. It resembles the excitement felt before a second date or an unfamiliar show; there’s a thrill in the uncertainty and the unknown.
Yet, why do these phases often feel more like aimless wandering rather than free exploration? For me, it boils down to a fundamental question we frequently overlook—what do you truly need at this moment?
At this moment, I need to feel secure, but the in-between state often feels anything but safe. When you can’t fully recognize yourself, everything feels uncertain. Transforming into a different version of yourself can be quite disconcerting.
It’s a curious contradiction. We push ourselves to grow and improve, yet the new self can feel quite unsettling. I’ve worked diligently to cultivate a sense of calm; I no longer allow my anxiety to spiral out of control or ride the emotional rollercoaster.
Running my own business has been a significant catalyst for these changes—anxiety simply can’t sustain a healthy business. Consequently, I’ve learned to quiet my thoughts and separate myself from what once seemed like high-stakes situations. I now observe my anxiety rather than allowing it to define me.
Yay for me!
However, amidst feeling calmer and clearer, I also experience a new kind of confusion and disorientation. Much of my previous motivation stemmed from anxiety, and stepping away from that familiar drive often leaves me feeling like a stranger to myself. It’s a disconcerting experience.
The question resurfaces—what do you genuinely need right now? The answer remains the same: a sense of safety. But how can one feel secure when confronting an unfamiliar version of themselves?
The initial step is to recognize what’s occurring and the phase you’re currently experiencing. Much of the uncertainty and aimless feeling arises from a disconnection between our emotions and our circumstances.
Once again, kudos to me for reducing my anxiety. I’m experiencing a substantial transformation, which in brain terms signifies novelty, and newness often feels threatening. The unknown can evoke feelings of danger, compelling us to acclimate to this fresh environment or risk feeling unmoored.
In times like these, we often seek the comfort of familiarity. These phases are not new; they’ve been portrayed in films, discussed in literature, and shared among friends and family.
The process may be recognizable, though the context has changed. When we begin to feel more at ease with the newness, the gap narrows; our experiences align more closely with our feelings, allowing us to find grounding and foster curiosity.
At this juncture, instead of responding based on what the old version of ourselves required, we pose the question anew: what does this new self truly need right now?
Perhaps it’s time to bid farewell to an outdated version of ourselves.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I invite you to share in the comments: what do you need right now?
Chapter 2: Acknowledging Your Needs
In the video titled "What's 3 things you need right now?", viewers are encouraged to reflect deeply on their immediate needs, highlighting the importance of self-awareness during transformative phases. This prompts a dialogue about recognizing and addressing our current emotional state.