Circles

Often in midlife, it can feel like we're running in circles. Chasing our tales. Trying to make changes, but nothing sticks. Eating well for a while, but then old habits creep in. You get up earlier for a few mornings, but then start hitting snooze again. You stopped drinking during the week, but then a glass of wine slipped in again on a Thursday. You will know the scene well. I certainly do.

But I read a quote some time ago which said:

“We are not going in circles, we are going upwards. The path is a spiral; we have already climbed many steps.”

It highlights a story that repeatedly plays out in our lives.

You're doing the work, showing up, and taking action, but the rewards you expected are nowhere to be seen.

That's when self-doubt starts to creep in, that familiar voice, you will know it well.

Slowly at first, quietly, and then like a tsunami, it's all you hear. "What do you think you're doing?' What made you think you could do that?' 'Of course you were never going to make that stick.'

You start to question yourself and wonder if the future you envisioned for yourself is even possible.

You start to feel like an impostor in your own story.

But here’s the truth:

Progress often hides in plain sight, it’s invisible to the one experiencing it.

What if your path is a spiral?

The spiral appears to be a circle to the one standing on it.

But zoom out and you see the reality:

Each circle exists on a slightly higher plane than the last.

Pay attention to the subtle signs of that elevation change:

• You stop worrying about the opinions of others.

• You start setting and enforcing healthy boundaries.

• You realise that it truly is the journey and who you're becoming, not the destination.

• You recognise when you're eating out of boredom or stress

• You stop complaining about things beyond your control.

• You become more aware of your negative self-talk.

• You start cringing at yourself from six months ago.

• You stop focusing on sounding impressive to others.

  
  

You’ve grown. You’ve changed. You’ve become different.

You’re not stuck. You’re on a higher plane.

Your path is a spiral. Remember that.