The Importance of Taking a Pause
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How can pausing for self-reflection help us navigate tough emotions and find peace in life’s chaos? In today’s episode of my Master Flow series, I explore the power of taking a moment to pause and give the space to breathe and reflect amidst the daily hustle. Drawing from my own experiences with frustration and discomfort, I share how facing these emotions head-on, rather than avoiding them, can lead to greater self-awareness and personal growth.
I explore the emotions we encounter on our journeys, emphasizing that every tough experience carries a valuable lesson that guides us toward our authentic selves and the lives we want to create. Discussing how embracing feelings of anger, disappointment, and frustration can lead to profound insights that encourage our growth. Additionally, I’ll take you on a metaphorical journey to a peaceful lake, encouraging you to find your own moments of serenity. This practice serves as a reminder that even in chaos, we can discover a calm center to act with clarity and intention. Tune in to nurture your inner self and discover the treasures within your journey, turning your dreams into reality.
The Power of Pausing
Today, I want to take a moment to reflect on why taking a pause is so essential. I’ve always known its importance, but sometimes, in the whirlwind of life, we forget to slow down. Life moves quickly, and when challenges hit, they often come harder and faster than we expect.
That’s when the act of pausing becomes important. Pausing gives us the space to recenter, to turn inward, and to step back from the chaos. It’s not just about taking time for ourselves or our work—it’s about creating space for everything and everyone in our lives.
Recently, I found myself feeling more frustrated than usual. I didn’t enjoy that feeling, and I knew something was off. I realized it was tied to a situation with a client, and it took me time to really identify what was triggering my frustration and anger.
I took a step back. I went on holiday, detached from the situation, and gave myself the time to assess the root cause. Was this a repeating pattern? Where was this emotion truly coming from? Creating distance allowed me to gain clarity.
What I’m talking about is the power of pausing—the power of facing ourselves and our emotions in those moments. It’s an important part of our personal growth and evolution. It’s also a reminder of what I always teach: to make space, to slow down, and to ask, “What’s happening for me?”
I was discussing this with a friend in Vietnam, and we agreed that every situation, no matter how challenging, carries a gift. Sometimes the gift is hard to find, but when we believe that every experience is meant to help us grow—towards happiness, fulfillment, work-life harmony, or expansion—pausing becomes not just a break, but a necessary tool for our journey forward.
Finding Gifts in Disappointments
I want to share how important it is to acknowledge every disappointment, anger, and frustration. We need to make time to explore what’s really causing those feelings—what exactly is upsetting us in a given situation. By going through that process of self-questioning, we create the space and time to approach these emotions with compassion and love, even if they’re uncomfortable to experience. I didn’t enjoy facing those emotions, but I knew there was something meaningful in them for me.
It’s important to understand that, although we might not see the benefits right away, we are building a muscle of self-awareness. This ability to look at ourselves truthfully and face the mirror is something many people avoid, but it’s key to growth. The important question is: "What is this teaching me? How can I learn from this to prepare for the next level of my life?"
The challenge is to find the gift in every situation, even when it takes time—sometimes weeks, sometimes months. But deep down, we must trust that there is a gift, even if it’s not obvious at first. Like a Christmas gift we may not want at first, we come to realize it’s exactly what we need to move forward. Each difficult experience helps us evolve into the person we need to become to reach our desired life.
It’s not just about building a successful business—it’s about all areas of life: our health, relationships, finances, and our connection to ourselves. So, when life sends you challenging situations, recognize them as opportunities to grow, release pressure, and prepare for your next step forward.
Reflecting and Breathing for Clarity
Yesterday, I found myself feeling frustrated again. I held an in-person workshop in Bali—something I’d been encouraged to do. While I was excited about it, two people canceled at the last minute. It’s normal, just like with online events, but when it’s in-person, it feels more frustrating because of all the arrangements. I was so annoyed, thinking, "I don’t want to organize anything anymore." As the day went on, that frustration kept building, and I started to wonder, "Who am I becoming? I don’t like this feeling."
But then I took time to figure out the root cause of that frustration. Last night, after doing some reflection, I felt a big release, like a weight was lifting off my shoulders. I felt lighter as if I could finally spread my wings and move forward with what I want for my life and business. It was liberating, and it reminded me that awareness is so important.
It’s a process we all go through when frustration builds up, and it’s important to pay attention to what’s happening inside us. Journaling, asking ourselves what’s triggering us, and reflecting deeply—like we do in yin classes—can help. Sometimes, it takes time for things to shift, but once we’re honest with ourselves, we can start transforming. It might be tied to past patterns, relationships, or old wounds, but once we recognize the connection, we can heal and grow.
This experience emphasized to me the value of pausing, being honest with ourselves, and developing self-awareness. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that there are always gifts in our experiences, even when they’re challenging. Those gifts are there for us to discover and transform.
Recharging with Confidence and Peace
Let’s begin by taking a few deep breaths in and out.
Place both feet on the ground, straighten your back, and gently pull your shoulders back. Open your chest wide and take a deep breath in through your nose, filling your body with energy, and then exhale, releasing everything. Take another deep breath in, and exhale out.
Now, take a slow deep breath in, hold it for four seconds—4, 3, 2, 1—and exhale—4, 3, 2, 1.
Empty out all the tension. Take another deep breath in—4, 3, 2, 1—hold it for 4, 3, 2, 1, and exhale—4, 3, 2, 1.
Now imagine a peaceful lake. Maybe it’s surrounded by mountains or somewhere familiar, a place you’ve visited recently or long ago.
Picture yourself sitting by this lake, continuing to breathe deeply in and out. Observe the calm waters and the nature around you—are there trees, birds, or the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind? Soak in the peacefulness of this place, feeling harmony within as you breathe.
Recognize that every situation in life is a gift waiting to be uncovered. In this moment of stillness, you are an investigator, finding clues to your own freedom, happiness, and fulfillment.
Continue breathing deeply, knowing that nothing can disturb you here. This is your moment to pause, to turn inward, and to recharge.
As you sit in this peaceful state, let go of anything that no longer serves you. Release past traumas, even those that may not be your own, and breathe in confidence. Embrace the treasure in each experience. Ask yourself, "What can I learn from this? What gift does this situation offer?" Feel empowered by this inner discovery and allow yourself to be excited by the potential of your own growth.
Breathe in confidence and exhale peace, knowing you are fully recharged.
When your batteries are fully recharged with this confidence and peaceful sensation, I invite you to come back here and slowly reopen your eyes.
To hear more and dive into today’s full conversation on Master Flow, tune in on your favorite podcast platform.
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Watch In Between Homes on YouTube: Lucie Hautreux • Business Growth Strategist
