“ . . .  live everything  . . .  Live the questions now. Perhaps you will then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.”

~ Rainer Maria Rilke

 

We often address change and letting go in this blog. We have shared insights about making space in our lives—by conscious choice or not—and how to navigate periods of unknowing through reflection and coming to terms with who we are, where we are and why.

We all have seasons in our lives where what we are experiencing does not seem to make sense in the context of what preceded it and where we feel disconnected. In these periods of spaciousness it is hard to discern if we are in the process of letting go, stagnated or simply in a time in our lives of not knowing and where we need to experience the discomfort and mystery of these times—and, yes, the power of these times as they are rich and foster growth.

However, in this post I would like to talk about letting go and the periods of spaciousness from the perspective of the discomfort some experience when they no longer feel a need to or to use their usual or routine steps in their decision making, creative and overall thinking or actions. Most of us have experienced this at some level and time in our lives.

For example, someone might have been the great list maker, diligently writing down all the “to-do’s” and checking them off in sequence—but may find themselves not wanting to make the lists anymore and not making the lists anymore. Someone might have had to go through a detailed and time-consuming process of writing long-hand or typing detailed outlines and notes for a paper or presentation—but may find themselves frustrated by that process and feel de-energized by having to take those steps. 

It really is a state or phase of personal evolution, but when in this state some feel as if they are distracted, not remembering things, or that if they do not lean on these once usual steps the outcome will not be good or that something will go wrong. They fall into judging themselves and leap to fear-based state that something is not right.

It is hard to let go of deeply instilled and some would say habit-like processes we develop over time, especially when you are in a place (e.g., work, home, school or other social setting) that expects these types of processes to be used and demonstrated.  It is difficult to trust yourself that you do not have to put yourself through the rigor and time-consuming tactical steps without some unfortunate outcome. It is hard to understand why you are feeling this way.

Look at it this way. You are growing and evolving and as you evolve you are more in-tune with the outcome, the answer or what should be done, and you no longer need to do what you once did. You are reaching a new level in your ascension where you are tapping into Universal knowledge and where your instincts will guide you.

Over the course of your life you have been cataloging an enormous amount of information. You have been taught and have developed routines, habits and processes for how you do things so much so that when you start to shed them that it feels uncomfortable and uneasy, and you may even feel that you are losing your edge. You may feel that you are losing the time-honored characteristic that seemed to be valued by others and even yourself.

The truth is you no longer need the long processes—shortcuts have been formed, deep knowledge deposited and now clear paths for access put in place. It is OK to let go of how and why you have done things. If you are increasingly experiencing this uneasiness but deep-down you know that not having to put yourself through those ingrained processes is liberating, you are on your intended path. Embrace it.