Taking The Leap - When The Old Way No Longer Works

Some might think that now is not the time to be making big life changes. These times are too uncertain, there is unrest everywhere, the markets are wildly erratic. At the best of times we tend to allow fear to hold us back in order to feel safe. But when it all hits the fan, we especially run for cover and hunker down. This might seem the sensible choice.

But I beg to differ.

“Rest Your Mind #6” (detail) ©Amy Guion Clay 14” x 11” x 2” 2020 SOLD

With the ongoing pandemic, this has been for many a period of reflection, taking the time to reconsider the path they are on and to let go of the past that is no longer working for them.

Often challenges present themselves just when we are needing to get real - an illness, accident, a collapsing relationship, a pandemic. This might feel like a double/triple whammy. Our vulnerability is high, we are open and raw. We might feel paralyzed even when we deep down know that change is imminent.

The thing is that we rarely go willingly into discomfort when we are cruising the status quo - we are too busy, distracted to oblivion, comfortably numb. So when life throws us lemons, we are forced to look soberly at what has been and finally begin to trust the life that is waiting for us.

In storytelling, this is known as the inciting incident. Every major hero’s journey begins in this way because it’s the archetypal truth.

The hero is always reluctant at first. Often they downright resist change, but when they are forced out of the ordinary world, the new adventure begins the greater story. Yes, there will be challenges, but the more the resistance, the more painful it will be. Surrendering to the future without clinging to the past will lessen the bumps and bruises to come.

So…if not now, then when?

“Divisibles are Indivisible #2” ©Amy Guion Clay 18” x 18” 2019 SOLD

But taking the leap doesn’t mean we have to chuck the baby out with the bathwater. We can intentionally begin with slow steps, manageable increments of change, testing and measuring the waters to evaluate the depth and speed of the current.

Can’t say that’s been my way however. For better or worse, nothing short of bold, sweeping changes in my life would derail the deeply grooved track I was on. But leading up to that seismic shift there was always a long period of examination, asking the deeper, thoughtful questions. I’ve never been impulsive, but when I’m finally ready, I am decisive - fear be damned.

One early example of this was in my late 20’s, I was on a fast track in my career as a fashion designer in NYC, very yuppy urban 80’s, big shoulder pads and all. But I had grown empty, disillusioned with that world of money and status grabbing, and I knew that my creative journey was to lead me elsewhere, yet to where I did not know!

Then one day I did know, and I cashed in my chips and bought a one way ticket to Australia, without a plan. Did I panic on the eve of this leap? Yes! But I need not have worried. As fate would have it, I began one of the greatest adventures of my life that took me on a year long bicycle trip through Europe and Asia and a love affair that would bring my greatest joy - my beautiful son (now 30 years old!)

But that clarity didn’t just happen, it came through deep examination, tough self-love, and trusting that my inner desires were real and true. That was not the only time I threw caution to the wind, and I can honestly say I would not change one single earned minute.

So whether you prefer to put your toe into the rest of your life, or fling yourself into the wild abyss of the future, it doesn’t matter. The key thing is listening to the subtle beckoning that is tugging you deeper into your authentic journey.

Yes there will be fear, doubt, resistance. Count on it. And then know you are in good company, and draw strength from your personal heroes (real or fictional), knowing that they too have been where you are now.

Might it be time to let go of who you have been for what you could become?