More Antidotes to the Semester Scaries

Last week I brought up the Semester Scaries and offered you access to my client community session, where we will talk antidotes. Sign up here. It’s only an hour, and I’m confident you’ll feel lighter afterward.

Here’s Part II of the Antidote to the Semester Scaries: Planning

Planning is a way that shifts you out of overing anxiety and too many commitments in the wrong places. But I’m not talking about the typical back-to-school planning with a bazillion tasks paired with cramming all the summer wish lists into the same few weeks.

If you feel overwhelmed…

Remember that while there may be a lot of things that need your attention right now, they likely don’t need it today, or even this week. Many ‘back to school’ things can actually be done over the next few weeks. It’s so easy to get into the all-or-nothing and now-or-never mindset. When you notice that mindset creeping in, take a moment to ask yourself: Is that true? Is that what’s being asked of you or what you’re demanding of yourself? Then, consider the priorities of the week. What then needs to be done now, and what can be delegated, deleted, or delayed?

If you feel anxious…

Consider making some intentional tweaks to your morning routine. What do you want to FEEL in your routine? What type of morning do you want? What’s your cycle of creative energy and flow? Journal these questions, and be sure to start with the FEELING you want first. (And what sensations in your body are attached to those feelings?) Logistics are easier and where our brain wants to go immediately. Feel the feeling and then work through what needs to happen.

If you have procrastination paralysis…

Review your calendar or to-do lists to see what’s coming up due or has some sort of fast-approaching timeline. In our creativity work, we talk about finding that one small thing to create momentum and move yourself forward. Find that thing that’s due soon, break that thing down into 10-minute tasks, and do that one first thing. The key here is to make the task so small that it’s doable, and you’ll actually do it.

If you feel blah…

Perhaps you were used to feeling excitement for the transition to fall or the semester. Burnout, rust out, and career grief–individually and together–can strip you of the motivation or excitement that used to come with doing things you loved or feeling a sense of purpose. In this case, I suggest starting small to rediscover your hidden joys. I found after healing from my own burnout and grief that what brought me joy in my work changed on the other side, so it was no wonder I was feeling blahhed out. As you look towards your days, find one glimmery joy or gratitude and go towards that fully present and embodying that thing or moment. That’s it. You did it.

If you feel like you have signs of a mid-career crisis…

Then you’re ready to break open your beautiful invitation of right-aligned living and working. Community and support goes a long way in easing this bigger transition so that you can be intentional about shaping the next chapter with purposeful impact. You’re in great company for this. Five years ago, I shared my own mid-career crisis journey that started some years before that and how it’s normal to feel this in our careers and lives. I’m convinced that a life well lived and loved involves many of these crisis invitations to empowering yourself and others. Schedule a consultation call with me.

But start by signing up for the community call next week.