How to Weather Life's Storms (Career & Otherwise)

When was the last time you took a roadtrip?

I took one over the long weekend, and let me tell you - it's amazing how much it does for you in terms of reflecting and gaining perspective.

On the last day, just hours from my final destination, I had an alert come through my GPS - that the national weather service had issued a warning for severe thunderstorms ahead.

And then I noticed my drive time increase by 40 minutes.?Uh oh.

As I got closer, I could literally SEE the thunderstorms ahead, lightning and all (that picture above is what I saw through my front windshield.)

I'm not one to get scared easily, but these severe storms in the Southwest are no joke... think: rain coming down so hard that you literally can't see the lines on the road or the lights of the car ahead of you... the type of storm that feels too dangerous to drive in, but also so bad that you're afraid to stop for fear that someone will crash into you with the lack of visibility.

I had a choice.

I could turn around and try to find another route (hardly a choice in the middle of nowhere!).

Or I could pull over as soon as the rain started and hope for the best.

Or I could brace myself and get ready to drive through.

Even in my slight panic, I couldn't help but to see nature's wisdom in this.

Here I was, on the brink of a big storm - sunshine and blue skies behind my back... not unlike life's storms (hello job loss, the end of a relationship, or any big life event).

I could look back at the blue skies - the good times - and stay put:

• asking myself why it had to end
• playing out all the scenarios, wondering if there was anything I could have done differently
• desperately seeking the “lesson” or the “silver lining” to make it all okay
• or simply getting stuck in a somewhat delusional nostalgia of what was

And sometimes that is necessary.

But there comes a point in any life storm where looking back does more harm than good.

... when looking back only serves to prolong the pain and delay the healing and wisdom on the other side.

Said another way: we stay stuck - until we face the storm... or as that saying goes, "the only way out is through."

That's when we get to pull ourselves up by the bootstraps, pack a bag (might I recommend packing it with a whole lot of self-compassion, rock solid faith, a therapist and/or coach, a bestie on speed dial, and a box of tissues?) - and then muster all the courage we can to face the storm head on.

So can you guess what I did?

I said a prayer, put both hands on the steering wheel, and drove through the torrential downpour.

You can do this too.

If you're going through your own personal storm right now, I want you to know you're not alone.

If it helps, think of me - right next to you... reminding you how of strong, loveable and worthy you are... telling you that even if it doesn't feel like it right now, you will get through this.

Your turn: Yes or No - Can you remember a time when you prolonged facing "the storm" head on? How did it feel once you were through it?

p.s. If the storm you're currently facing is career-related send me a message - I'd love to support you, even if only through a virtual hug & pep talk.