So what do you do when your world implodes? If you are anything like me, you probably: 1) swear - a lot; 2) cry - a lot; and 3) drink copious amounts of alcohol. And that's ok, because at this point you really need some catharsis. But, when the dust settles, and you are looking out into the big scary abyss of your future, you need a plan for moving forward.
'Moving forward' is key here. Because you can't just sit in your crisis and hope it will pass on it's own. Or that anyone will come and save you. You need to figure out what you are going to do next.
Your first step might be knowing you need time to heal. You might be exhausted, and emotional and sad, and these are not great places from which to make big life decisions. My husband, very wisely, insisted that I take 3 months off and DO NOTHING - no big life decisions, no crazily trying to fill the void of my lost job by just bouncing into anything that presented itself.
But 'doing nothing' did include doing a few important things.
Firstly, I got a recommendation for a good therapist. Someone who would be able to help me unpack everything I was feeling, and could help me see the wood between my trees. It was so helpful to be able to sift through my s**t with someone supportive, completely impartial and who came equipped with a whole tool bag of things I could do to help myself through the pain and confusion.
Secondly, I took the time to really start thinking about what I wanted from my life. What I wanted the next chapter to look like. I'm not saying that I will get everything, but at least I am building a solid foundation from which to make decisions. I started reading helpful and interesting books, like 'The Artist's Way' by Julia Cameron (and doing the exercises to help me reconnect with my creative self); 'The Five Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom' by Don Miguel Ruez; and of course, revisiting everything Dr. Wayne Dyer has ever written.
Thirdly, I started learning. I went online and looked for classes and/or workshops in things I was really interested in, or skillsets I wanted to improve. I am a great believer in education - and self education - and that the learning process will always open new vistas in your reality. To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow."
Do I know where I'm going next? Nope. Not yet. But I do know that right now my path is wonderfully interesting, and growth-filled. As long as I keep moving forward, and learning, and growing, I trust that there is something wonderful waiting for me just down the road.
