Going Through the Storms ⛈️

Our emotions are temporary, just like the storms we witness.

As I was traveling up to Tennessee to see my best friend for her baby shower, I was hit with a lot of scattered storms. Ironically, this has been a common theme in my life these past few weeks. I recently had a meditation crafted for me around my feeling of "stuckness," and a visual that came to me was the beauty of storms. How beautiful the transition is when passing through them or simply waiting them out. I even created a visual mantra, "I am stronger than my doubts," using a photo of mine with the sunset peeking out on the horizon just before a storm rolled in.

I was reminded that this feeling and this transition are only temporary, just like storms. Most times, after a storm, a gorgeous, glowing sunset or vibrant sunrays follow. Sometimes we focus so much on the storm that we forget it will eventually pass and be forgotten about in a few days. We can relate this to ourselves and how our fears, doubts, stress, and anxiety can be the storms we focus on. We try to prepare and prep for the storm, warn others, and even get so fearful that we feel incapable of handling what's about to come.

Why Do Our Storms Feel So Permanent at Times?

Many times, we think our doubts and fears bring us safety, but they can cause us harm, especially if we don't have an evacuation plan. I've been faced with a lot of uncertainty and self-doubt. When I explain my vision and passion, I tend to forget that others don't connect or understand what I’m talking about as easily. I myself have been struggling to understand my own mission. I've been so hard on myself for feeling like a failure, and thinking what I'm doing seems bonkers to others. I've cared too much about what people think of me and tried to cater my business to their standards or expectations.

I fell into imposter syndrome and let my doubts and anxiety flood over me. I felt so stuck and trapped that I let opportunities slip away because my social anxiety and self-doubt, which I mistook for protection, took over. It was like a hurricane I couldn’t escape; it lingered for days. I let it consume me... but only temporarily. Thankfully, I had a great recovery team and a plan to build me back up even stronger.

The Stillness in the Lens

In my last mindful coaching session, my coach created a meditation for me called "the stillness in the lens." This vision came to me during that meditation, which inspired this article, and I'd love to share it.



During the meditation, I went back to Utah in my mind. We were looking out at the hoodoos, and a storm was rolling in. Even though it wasn't the vibrant, sunny scene we were hoping for, it was still beautiful. The dark clouds, the fog seeping in, and the crack of thunder before the first drops fell. The beautiful backdrop became a moody, mysterious masterpiece. The storm didn't ruin the beauty; it gave it a new perspective and aesthetic. It made the scene feel more distinct and interesting, like there was more depth than meets the eye. Eventually, the hard rain came and felt intense and heavy. But only for a moment. After the storm, the most vibrant sun came beaming through the clouds with stunning rays of light bursting through. It was a gorgeous transition, showing that the storm was only temporary, yet so beautiful.

Like us, we are unique and beautiful, with many transitions in life; we are always ever-changing. I cried tears of relief, letting go of the unnecessary stress I was holding onto. I felt like I'd been in a constant storm of uncertainty and could finally let it go. Like stormwater feeding our waterways, these stormy moments will eventually be the water that allows our flowers to bloom and creates a thriving, lush ecosystem.

Whatever storms we may be struggling with, they are only passing by. It may last for a few days, and you may have some storm damage to clean up, but it's momentary. You will build yourself up stronger and witness the beautiful transition, like a vibrant sun peeking through the textured clouds.

Repeat to yourself three times:

You are resilient. You are stronger than your doubts. You are vibrant!

Peace + Love,

Erica ✌️💜