Tending to yourself in transformative times

Sometimes it’s the collapse of a relationship. Or an unexpected diagnosis. Sometimes it’s a money crisis – perhaps a job loss. Whatever triggers it, suddenly you’re on a journey to an unknown destination. And there doesn’t seem to be a map, much less sat nav.

It’s important to know this; that this is a journey of transformation. If you are in the midst of some upheaval, it will leave you forever changed. And so it’s an opportunity to really look at what you want to leave behind, and to look into your heart to see what dream is really calling you forth.

There’s a wilderness passage at the heart of this journey. Just like the cocoon stage, where the caterpillar loses all form but is yet to become the butterfly, the wilderness passage arrives to melt away any aspect of you that stands in the way of total transformation. It can feel terrifying. It’s been called the dark night of the soul.

Trust is key here. Remember this is a journey of the heart, whose wisdom is wider and deeper and wilder than anything you may have known before. Keep turning towards her stillness. Keep listening to her whispers. Surrender, over and again, to this journey, no matter how uncomfortable, how painful it feels.

Finally, dance the unknown into your life. Court the unfamiliar and play with it. Let it open up wild possibilities. If you are committed to this work of the soul, then invite in gratitude and joy. 

May this be medicine.