When your back stabs YOU...

I have a bad back.? Seems pretty lame to say in my early 30s, but it’s true.

Every couple of years I get a really bad flare up.

Yesterday the flare up of 2024 reared its head.

I had noticed it could be coming, so I had been extra cautious.? No lifting, taking extra ibuprofen, etc…

But then I sneezed. It was a big sneeze.? And the sneeze was the last straw. My neck became frozen, and shots of pain zinged down my back and into my legs.

Can I still function??

Yes, but it's messy.?

I'm overcompensating with other muscle groups, and those muscles don't work as efficiently. Simple movements become cumbersome, and everything feels off.

This physical imbalance got me thinking about how we handle stress and challenges in our lives. When something goes wrong or we're under significant stress, our internal operating system tends to do the same thing. We begin to overuse less natural abilities to solve the problem, neglecting our innate gifts.

In itself, compensating isn't necessarily a bad thing—it helps us navigate immediate hurdles. However, it becomes problematic when this compensation turns into the new norm. Over time, we lose touch with our natural strengths, leading to inefficiency, dissatisfaction, and even burnout.

Just as I need to rest and allow my neck to heal (as I’m typing this, I’m currently on the couch, icing said back), we need to give ourselves permission to reconnect with our natural gifts. By doing so, we operate more efficiently and authentically, leading to greater satisfaction and success in our personal and professional lives.

Overusing or underusing our natural gifts is like a body out of alignment—functional but not optimal. By becoming aware of these imbalances, observing their impact, and creating thoughtful solutions, we can realign ourselves.

Embracing our innate gifts allows us to navigate life's challenges more effectively and enjoyably.

My challenge to you today is to check in with yourself.? Are you overusing or underusing any of your gifts?

How is overuse or underuse impacting the world around you?

What can you do with the knowledge of your Enneagram type to create solutions and realign with yourself?

As always, I’d love to hear what you come up with! Cheers to Growth! Hillarie Kay

P.S. I put out a big announcement on my social channels last week about new things I’m doing and bringing to the table to help you and your team live as sustainable as possible.? Check it out here if you haven’t already.