3 Ways To Know It's Time To Grow
BY JEN WIDERSTROM
No matter who we are or what phase of life we’re in, we all reach this moment. The moment we start to feel restless. The moment when we feel ready to stretch. To reach for more. Whether it’s physically, mentally or emotionally, growth is a beautiful universal experience. It’s not always easy and it’s not always comfortable, which is why most people fear it. But the truth is, there is great freedom in starting over. In being a novice, and in letting go.
Photo by Raamin ka
Humans are built to be expansive, to be adaptive, to keep going, growing, and pushing. But with that drive to constantly evolve comes a conflicting catch: as soon as we become really great at something, we become unsatisfied with where we are. The natural coaching system within all of our beings is programming that says, “you’ve done this, now what’s next?” What do those signals feel like, and how do you know if your soul is telling you it’s time to grow and evolve?
You feel that the fear of staying where you are outweighs the fear of not knowing how to get to where you’re headed.
You feel increasingly more uncomfortable–like you’re outgrowing everything and everyone around you.
You feel like you’re ready to begin again, and you’re willing to give up your ego to chase that.
Personally, I have reached a moment in my life and career where I feel the need to evolve. I’ve been a trainer for a long time. I’ve grown into who I am as a coach, but as I’ve had time to reflect throughout the past year, like many of us have, I realized that coaching lunges–although that has publicly defined me–is the smallest thing about who I really am. Fitness and wellness, while they are certainly priorities in my life, take up the smallest part of my day (and if you’re doing it right, they should also take up the smallest part of yours too ;)).
The time has come for me to grow into expressing the other parts of my passion to help others and explore my interests that are more than just fitness. I feel that it is time to expand my coaching into new realms. I want to help women cultivate their best lives possible, and fitness is only one piece of that puzzle. There are so many more issues than fitness and wellness that affect my life and the lives of the women closest to me. I want to be able to explore these topics on my blog and my social channels and feel like I’ve just invited you into my digital den to sit on my couch and have a real conversation. The kind of conversation where you walk away better for it, your cup more full than when you came.
Being transparent, as I steer myself in a new direction, I don’t even know the temperature in the room I feel I’m meant to walk into. But it’s exhilarating to be in a place where I know there’s more. Almost like a hermit crab that’s outgrown the home I’ve had for all these years, and I’m searching for a new one. I’m finding myself with more questions than comforts lately, but this phase is exploratory and fun, and has tapped into a whole new side of my curiosity and vulnerability. I’m forced to really pay attention to the people I meet, the perspectives they have, and allow myself to gain new inspiration from that.
Wherever we’re headed with the Jen Widerstrom “brand,” I’m letting my instincts drive into this new chapter. I feel like my eyes are open and I’m paying attention, but none of the roads I’m traveling on have signs. It’s extremely challenging for me, as I’m sure it is for many of you, to give up control like this. But it’s important to know that in phases of growth, none of us will be perfect. And that’s okay. Give yourself permission to explore. I struggle with this because I have a rigidity to my personality. I am an efficiency expert. I don’t want to waste time, I don’t want to waste reps. I don’t want to waste resources, or make bad decisions that set me back in time, money, or energy…but I’m surrendering to understanding that the only way I’m going to get where I want to be, is to NEVER STOP the exploration. I don’t have the answers right now, but you can bet I’ll be sharing them with you as they arise.
Whoever you are, at whatever level or whatever stage of life you’re in, this is the reality when you comply with your growth patterns. Are you willing to exchange your hierarchy for discovery? If so, you’ve got a great trip planned. I invite you to join me on that journey.
Jen Widerstrom, Founder
P.S. Remember that no matter what you're going through right now, you don't have to do it alone! There are others like you in our community, where we interact on a daily basis, fight our demons, share our victories, and watch over each other as friends and accountability partners.
Together we are FÖRENA - a health & fitness community for women like you where we focus not only on our physical health but also mind, soul, relationships, and overall well-being. Become one of us now with FREE 1-month membership, and let us witness your growth! 🌱
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