The Thief of Time
There is an uncomfortable truth we all have to face eventually: time is completely indifferent. It passes steadily, day by day, second by second, without caring at all about our individual circumstances, our stress levels, or our hesitation. And tragically, we rarely notice what we have lost until it is already too late.
When life feels heavy or less than ideal, we fall into the dangerous trap of “waiting.”
- We wait for the “optimum time” to finally start tackling a goal, which usually means the goal is never completed – or even started.
- We spend months waiting for the next vacation, completely overlooking the actual magic happening in our everyday, micro-moments.
- We put things off in a twisted procrastination of waiting for all the factors to line up without realizing how much time is passing.
When we live like this, it feels like our “real” lives are on permanent hold. We convince ourselves that life is something we get to enjoy someday, just as soon as that perfect, elusive moment clicks everything else into place.
But you cannot live in two separate worlds. If you are only alive on vacation, it’s no wonder you feel unfulfilled when you come home to reality.
The Waiting Place
Do you remember that iconic section in Dr. Seuss’, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!? He talks about a useless, stagnant location called “The Waiting Place.” It’s a space where people are just… waiting. Waiting for train to go, or a bus to come, or a phone to ring, or the rain to rain.
Everything changed when I stopped waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect person, or the perfect circumstance to rescue me. I realized no one was coming, and that the power to change my path was entirely in my hands.
– Unknown
There are so many people who literally waste their lives away in that passive holding pattern. They wait for the perfect opportunity to fall into their lap instead of building one for themselves.
Before we can reframe the wait, we have to acknowledge it. We have to separate the negative wait – the stagnant holding pattern where you are letting life happen to you – from the positive space. Because when you are actively using your time to heal, plan, learn, and celebrate small daily victories, you are not waiting at all. You are creating.
That productive space is just the beautiful, necessary bridge between where you are now and where you want to be. It is the journey of personal healing you undertake while learning a new skill, training for a 5km run, or working your day job while quietly building your own empire on the side.
How to Maintain “Main Character” Energy in the Grind
Staying active in a holding pattern requires tools. When you are fighting past trauma or feeling beaten down by circumstances, you have to actively protect your momentum. Because I don’t navigate this journey with a massive local entourage, I have built a personal toolkit of remote anchors to keep me steady, supported, and ready for anything:
- The “Book Best Friend”: Keep a literary cheerleader in your back pocket. When I need an internal spark, I lean on the fierce imagination of Anne Shirley or the sharp, methodical brilliance of Hercule Poirot. They remind me of who I am. It also makes for some very funny and productive arguments and conversations in my head.
- The Laundry Basket Affirmation: Hide surprise or empowering reminders in random places – like the bottom of the laundry basket or the back of a cupboard – to give yourself a sudden, unexpected boost during daily chores. You would be amazed how one of these can hit at the perfect moments days or weeks after you wrote it!
- The Vibe Shift Playlist: Build a sonic toolkit. Craft specific playlists designed to seize your power and remind you of your “why” the second you hit play. Creating these playlists totally captures powerful creator energy!
The Wisdom of the Elm Trees
Look outside right now. As spring unfurls across Saskatchewan, nature is dropping the ultimate reminder that what looks like “waiting” is actually just “growing.”
Right now on my street, the Elm trees are slowly, deliberately erupting with green leaves. In the empty garden beds, tiny sprouts are fiercely pushing their way up through the dirt. We are living things, too. We are part of this natural cycle, and we have to honour our seasons.
Nature reminds us that our lives and personalities require intentional trimming in the right seasons. To grow full and become the strongest, most authentic versions of ourselves, we have to prune away the dead branches. We have to get rid of old, looping habits, step away from relationships that drain us, and bravely address the deep-seated things we pretend aren’t hindering us.
You Are Not Your Circumstances
Your current circumstances are not you. Your past circumstances are not you. When you choose to do with your life right now, in the middle of the ordinary, is what matters.
We possess an incredible amount of power that we completely fail to realize – especially when we’ve been hurt. You do not have to stay small, and you do not have to passively wait for a rescue party. Step out of the Waiting Place. Prune the deadweight, pick up your tools, and remember that you are the author of the very next sentence.
If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.
– Maya Angelou
Image for the graphic by: Vinicius “amnx” Amano on Unsplash
A Note on Well-being:
Stepping out of the holding pattern can feel overwhelming when you’re carrying heavy burdens. You don’t have to walk the path alone. Reach out 24/7/365:
- National Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 9-8-8
- Saskatchewan HealthLine: Call 8-1-1
- Crisis Text Line: Adults text 741741 | Youth text 686868
- Kids Help Phone: Call 1-800-668-6868
- Hope for Wellness: Call 1-855-242-3310
Don’t miss this week’s complimentary mini blogs!
The Narrative Flip: Your DIY Perspective Tool – Coming Soon
To The Audacious Future – Coming Soon