I stumbled across this quote by Rumi that resonated with me so much throughout this past month of transformation. "Sorrow prepares you for joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath have room to grow. Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place.” So many changes and unexpected things kept hitting me left and right like waves crashing into shore, you feel drained by the end. At times, I couldn't help but question myself & if I had the strength to make this transition. Though I feel we have all been there, second guessing ourselves even though everything within said yes. Feeling all these mixed emotions and by the end of the day, you felt you just finished fighting a long hard battle. Though now you can't go back only forward but why would you?

There is a reason why we take that first step into transformation, but it is necessary to our growth with ourselves. As much as we plan the change and all its components (especially to all the planners out there like myself) there are always surprises and consistent pivoting that occurs which we can't control. When you think everything is lining up perfectly, a strong storm will come back to destroy some part or the entire plan you have created. It's frustrating, exhausting, overwhelming and depleting. This is the perfect moment where doubt comes in and takes over the mind. Trying to convince us to go back to a space that was comfortable vs being in this realm of the unknown. As this contemplating happens in the mind, that's when several things & people swoop in to provide support. Leaning into my support system & guide is what kept me going through this transformation. Moving through this transition, my family & friends reminded me of my why and hold space as I released all things that no longer served me. Asking for help as always been a struggle for me. I am so used to taking care of things all on my owe, feeling like a burden if I did ask for assistance. I know it's not the truth, but it is something I kept telling myself for years. During this transformation was the first time, I truly felt no guilt or nervous to ask for help. Instead of trying to do it all myself, I completely leaned into my support system, and I am so proud of myself for doing it.

Transformation is like an insane roller coaster ride. You know there is going to be high and lows, but you don't know exactly when each one is coming. You have the ride map out in your mind and you prepare yourself for it, but it completely blows you away. There is one part that usually gets forgotten and that is to enjoy. Enjoying the process of any changes big or small, we are so focused on what is possibly about to happen and what has happened that we aren't being present. Take a moment to think what it means for you to enjoy the process. How would you define it? For me, I define enjoy in the transformation as releasing the need to have complete control (I know harder than it sounds!), being present with what is happening in the moment no matter what looks like, learn from the past, plan what you can and f*** the rest. We can't predict or control everything no matter how hard we try. Sometime things or nothing will go according to plan (exactly what happen to me) but that doesn't mean to stop and go back. It means to pause, reflect, pivot and persevere. I can't count how many times I had to do it but remembering it's all part of the process. Prioritize time for yourself to rest & recharge. Allow yourself to feel all the emotions and let things flow out so it doesn't get trapped within. Never underestimate the power of the breath. It's your greatest friend & tool ♥

Thank you for being you and supporting my small business! Always remember be free be yourself because it's the best person to be!

Love,

Cristina