How To Step Into The Unknown While Staying In Alignment With Yourself

“If light is in your heart you will find your way home.” - Rumi

Growing up I would call them “out of body experiences”.

I didn’t have another way to describe it, but I could feel when my body was going through the motions while my mind and soul were elsewhere. As if they were separate from my body, distracted or busy with something else.

Have you had that feeling of separation before?

Where part of you has been left behind while another part of you is moving forward?

After nine years of calling the first property I ever bought home, I decided it was time for an upgrade. I needed more space both inside and outside, but in close proximity to the downtown core of Toronto I’ve come to know and love. After waiting three months between my offer being accepted and finally getting possession, it was time to move in.

Exciting, right??

Except it wasn’t.

Over the course of those three months, every time I felt grounded in my routines and rituals, I was interrupted again. Not to mention the perfect storm of to-dos that had been brewing as a result of moving, work responsibilities, and living life. By the time moving day arrived, I had moved past stress and into complete overwhelm.

“…the all too-common feeling ‘that our lives are somehow unfolding faster than the human nervous system and psyche are able to manage well’.” - Brené Brown, Atlas of the Heart

No wonder my mind, body, and soul feel displaced, separated, out of alignment.

Change is never easy. It’s the grey area between our comfort zone and the unknown that gets us every time. The transitory period that allows for resistance to rear its ugly head. Resistance shows up when there is something new, or there’s something you’re expanding into. But the thing is, resistance can’t coexist with awareness.

When we have light in our hearts, we will find our way home. To our bodies, to our souls.

Whether it’s changing places, jobs, relationships, traveling or moving, it is easy to leave parts of ourselves behind along the way. So, how can we be in alignment with ourselves and move as our whole self when making transitions?

Start by creating a map.

By laying out a path between where you are, and where you’re going, you can set the foundation for a smooth transition. Ask yourself these questions:

How do I want to experience this transition?

What will I do for my soul before I go?

What will I leave behind?

What will I take with me?

What did this person, place, or experience give me?

Allow yourself to explore these questions through journaling or self reflection to bring clarity to what does and doesn’t serve you.

Adopt a grounding practice.

To me, the experience of change follows a similar pattern of a story arc. Once you are on the other side of the climax it can feel like a free fall. It’s at that point that you need a grounding practice.

Explore what helps you feel rooted and connected to yourself and your surroundings.

It can be as simple as putting your bare feet on the ground and feeling mother earth supporting you. Or try a grounding meditation. Take a time out, disconnect from tech, and notice the world around you. Practice deep breathing by placing your hands on your belly and taking a few deep breaths, allowing your belly to expand and contract. Find a comfortable and quiet place and do a body scan: start at your feet and visualize yourself grounded in your space.

Changing is hard, but there is no question that without it we are still, stuck, and stagnant.

Taking a step past resistance and into the unknown is how we grow, evolve, and make our wildest dreams come true.

Share this with someone going through a transition and leave a comment if it resonates with you!

Kirsten Schmidtke is a professional coach, creator, and lover of lake life. She works with leaders, creators, and entrepreneurs to help them up-level their careers, businesses, and lives. Are you ready to explore what’s possible for you? Contact Kirsten to start the conversation!