Integration Stations
That moment when you’ve pulled out of the "integration station". You look back and realise you’re no longer the person you once were, and some of your old ways/habits/relationships no longer resonate. Yet, you’re not fully in your next chapter just yet. You’re a crab without a new shell. This phase is filled with immense growth, expansion, and anticipation, but it’s also important to let it unfold at its own pace. Even if you have a clear vision of where you want to be, I encourage you to pause and let the integration process work its magic. Our physical body often needs time to catch up with our energetic and emotional bodies, so be gentle with yourself during this transition
Embrace this phase for what it is – an opportunity to appreciate and honor everything that was, while trusting in all that will be. We often find the integration zone uncomfortable because we’re conditioned to prove ourselves and always be chasing results. Instead of taking time to reflect on everything we’ve done to arrive at this point, we rush ahead to the next thing. As a Type A and burnout survivor myself, and now an organisational psychologist who has studied burnout and recovery, I can say with absolute clarity: life is not a race. The speed, comparison, and constant busyness we rely on to avoid feeling what we truly feel cannot sustain us forever. It is very likely to crash and burn. We don’t want that. The caterpillar doesn’t simply transform into a butterfly overnight; it undergoes a deliberate, intricate process of growth, surrender, and metamorphosis, reminding us that true change takes time and patience.
I get it - it can be uncomfortable to leave the old behind without fully knowing what the new holds. But what if you chose to see this as one of life’s most beautiful gifts? The gift of time. Time for your mind, body, and spirit to sync up. Time to express gratitude for everything that’s brought you to this point—the good and the not-so-good. What if you took a few deep breaths? What if you gave yourself an actual whole day to simply be? What if you allowed your mind to wander and tuned into what your soul is truly craving? I know this isn’t as easy as it sounds - especially when we hold beliefs like, “That’s unrealistic,” “Life isn’t supposed to be easy,” or “That’s just not possible for me.” But the good news is, beliefs can be rewired. (A topic for another time.)
If you find yourself in an "integration station" phase of life, one where you know you've changed (how exciting!), but you're not quite sure what comes next or who you are anymore - know that this is your opportunity to reset, rebalance, and realign. Great things can happen quickly, but they can also take time. If you can summon the courage and self-love to embrace this integration period, without rushing ahead to the next thing or constantly pushing yourself to go, go, go, you may just discover the greatest privilege life has to offer - finding out exactly who you truly are.
Listen to your heart. You will step wholeheartedly into this next chapter of your life and it will be right on time.