Sometimes, without any warning, it becomes obvious that the direction you might be headed in is looking, shall we say, questionable. Well, that is exactly what happened to us. January usually signals the beginning of unlimited opportunities and possibilities, however, this January felt different. Instead of being excited by the plans we had put in place we were feeling exhausted and unsure of the next step. We were, to put it in burnout terms, fried!
The Holiday Season had been hectic: in a good way (yeah, surprise house guests) and in a bad way (yuck, surprise viruses). We had been counting on that time away from work and other usual obligations to catch our breath and quietly think (in our HSP way) about dreams of the future and plans for the year to come.
In December we had stripped our vision board of last year’s memorabilia ready to embrace these new dreams, ideas, and plans. Surprisingly, the board remained blank and every time we walked past it, it glared accusingly at us…
“Come on, fill me up with dreams and ideas,
you know you want to!”
We did want to, we had a plan, or so we thought. In truth, it turned out we were as blank as that board! Tellingly, the only thing that remained on our board was one of our favourite signs, it reads…
“Tear Up The Plans”
And so we did. What had seemed so right, now simply didn’t. It’s inevitable sometimes we know and sometimes we don’t. We change, we grow, we get wiser, gain clarity, and sometimes we gain confusion. And you know what? It is all OK.
It’s OK to not know. It’s OK to feel unsure.
It’s OK to take time till you know.
We were at that proverbial fork in the road and couldn’t decide on the ‘right’ direction! So we did what we tell our clients to do, sit down in the middle of the road and wait. Pushing pause on plans gives you time and space to ask yourself some probing questions, lots and lots of questions. You know us, we love questions more than we love answers! Questions like:
What do I feel is missing? What would make me bounce out of bed in the morning? What view do I want to see when I look out my kitchen window? What don’t I relish about life these days? What could I do without right now? What can’t I do without? What do I wish I had done before now? What do I imagine myself doing in the future?
It’s not about regretting, it’s about discovering a new starting point.
Our original plan was actually going to put us behind rather than move us forward so the plan had to go. We were disappointed although relieved. We still occasionally groan that we, “should have pushed onwards” but only because pausing the plan is different from our usual ‘fear be damned’ response! To an HSP wired for burnout (but too wise to go there) it feels a bit like plodding, a bit like we gave-up, even if I’m to be truthful, a bit like failing. But I know it is none of that! It is using our HSP intuition, creativity, and smarts.
Arriving at a fork in the road can be brilliant! It’s a sign.
It’s an opportunity to Tear up the Plan.
So that is where we are at. And, you know what? New plans are already forming. Life never stands still. So, if you are at your own fork in the road like we are and you feel confused about which direction to choose (we are there with you sister!), sit down and have a think. The future is not going anywhere. It could be time for you to tear up your plans and stage your own creative revolution. Want our advice?
Take your time, be open to the unexpected,
and have a nice cup of tea…with cake of course!
Until Next Time…Grab Life by the Crown!
P.S. The BOQs would love to hear from you! Leave your wisdom and comments in the box below.
P.S.S. We’re now on Instagram! Our handle is THEBURNOUTQUEENS, of course!