There are phases in our lives that are quite difficult at the time, but offer the most powerful potential to change ourselves and our lives for the better. We may not be able to see it in the moment, but when we look back, we’ll find ourselves transformed.
Often though, when we are in the middle of those situations, it seems as though we are sensing our way through the dark towards, to find the light at the end of the tunnel. It helps to have some orientation during those times.
That’s why my intention is to create a little map with these 5 stages, so that the next time you find yourself in the dark, you can shed some light on the situation by remembering the stage you’re in and where it’s leading you towards.
Stage 1. Completion
In this first stage of creating change, you will probably notice something itching inside of you. This project, person or part of your life that once meant the world to you (and that you may still love a lot) for some reason doesn’t seem to fit and flow and feel good as it used to anymore.
Some discernment is needed here, because this could also point towards the possibility of opening up to a deeper level of connection, commitment or communication.
What I am speaking of here though, is that moment when you realise that you have tried everything you could think of… you’ve been coached, you’ve communicated, you’ve cried your heart out and you’ve reflected, read or written pages about it. You’ve really made an effort. But the situation still does not change. Something just doesn’t sit right, anymore.
Perhaps the other person has changed, or you have changed over the course of time. Perhaps your priorities have changed. Perhaps all parties have learned their lessons and are now ready to move on.
“There comes a point when you just know, the time has come for you to go”
Stage 2. Clearing
This is usually when you enter the next phase, when it seems as though the truth is starting to slowly sink in. This project, person, part of your life is indeed coming to an end. And it hurts. A lot. Tears may flow. Lots of them. And it’s actually good. Because in this phase you have the potential to heal a lot of pain, perhaps even beyond this situation as far as childhood hurts, which in turns helps to
“The more you manage to fully feel, the faster you will finally heal”
When it comes to feeling and healing, here is a helpful blog post that goes into more detail about embracing your emotions and healing the deeper layers. Because this is a healing process. Goodbyes can bring grief. Whether it’s a lot or a little, a part of your heart feels shattered. Grief has its own five stages as well, which you can google en masse online. The most important part, is to be there for your heart. It’s hurting. And the more love you manage to give it, the more safe it will feel, and the faster it will hear.
So cry if you need to, slam a pillow if you need to, fill as many journal pages as you need, or book a coaching session if you need support. Do all you can to get the old energy out of your system. It will hurt, but it will help to heal.
This may also include physical clearing, this may mean that you clear out your house or computer of memories, clear your desk at work if you are changing jobs, or clear the belongings of a loved one, or yourself, if your were living together in a relationship. This can be a heart-breaking part of the change cycle, but it does become better as it leads towards…
Stage 3. Clarity
At some point, there are no more tears to cry, our inner and outer space have been cleaned and cleared. This is when we slowly start to see straight again. The clouds of emotions that had covered our hearts are slowly lifting, a little like in the song ‘I can see clearly now’. We start seeing the situation with new eyes, we may even begin to become hopeful that perhaps, this ending was for the best and brings a new beginning indeed.
“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us”
~Helen Keller
In this phase of Clarity, we now start to become aware of new possibilities that we couldn’t see before. We may receive insights, inspirations and ideas… which lead us up to to the next phase.
Stage 4. Commitment
During the last stage, it was as though we were standing high on a mountain, overlooking our lives and seeing the possibilities. Now in this stage we have the chance to put this new potential to practice.
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth
the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:
that the moment one definitely commits oneself,
then providence moves too”
~William H. Murray
Will we enter this new relationship, job, collaboration or project that we’ve been playing with in our mind up until now? When we take the idea out of our mind and bring it into the world, we move from an inspired idea to initiating action, we make a commitment.
When we do, we have this special magic of new beginnings, things seem to flow and we move forward with excitement and ease. Creativity, courage and creation abound at this stage. We seem to experience synchronicity and life seems to love us and laugh with us. Paolo Coelho calls it ‘beginners luck’ in his beautiful book ‘The Alchemist’. A reward for the many tears of the last stage.
Stage 5. Consistency
Once we have made the decision to walk into this new direction, no matter whether we have taken our first steps or are well on our way, we soon realise that…
“With every project that we start, at some point things tend to get hard”
At that point, we can either decide to ‘never mind’ and give up, or we can choose to ‘never quit’ and do what it takes to keep going and growing.
This stage holds a powerful potential for growth. Because where before we might have avoided that difficult talk, that deeper level of vulnerability or that dive of going ‘all-in’.
Each commitment brings a lesson, and after we have said yes to it, we will most like be tested or tempted along the way, will we leave or will we stay? Sometimes the lesson can be to have the courage to actually leave (phase #1) and at other times, the lesson will require us to stay and move through the challenges that may arise along the way.
“Consistency means saying Yes to your commitment- again and again“
When we decide to learn the lesson and put it into practice, we show that we are serious, we show that we are committed on a consistent basis. The roots or our relationship to the person or project we’ve committed to will grow deeper and deeper until the first sapling starts to appear and turn into the most beautiful flower.
Transformation At The End Of The Tunnel
This is usually when we really see the transformation we have gone and grown through. We are at times actually grateful that this situation that we were so heart-broken about, has ended. Since it led us to this beautiful new phase or place in our lives.
How About You?
Do you recognize and relate to these 5 stages? If so, which stage are you in right now? Love to hear in the comments below
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