Is there something you've left behind....?

When we face a change, it’s easy to get so caught up in what needs to come next that we may forget to pause and acknowledge what we may be leaving behind.

Our current status or influence, at home or at work.

The identity we have always known.

The level of security we are used to.

Our sense of autonomy.

Of course, some of these things may actually improve or stay the same, but in my experience, there can sometimes be a reluctance to talk openly about what we might lose; a fear that doing so may further anchor us in the past or make us even more nostalgic for what was.

However, in my opinion this couldn’t be further from the truth.

When potential loss goes unspoken, there is no opportunity to process it.

When loss is not processed, it is internalised — shaping our thoughts and actions beneath the surface.

When it is internalised, it becomes harder to articulate the reasons for any resistance to change.

And when we can’t articulate those reasons, it becomes much harder to consciously move past them.

What’s left is a gut feeling. A nagging sense of unease that make us second-guess our next steps. We hesitate. We procrastinate. Our doubt becomes embodied.

Coaching and change models do allude to this need to let go — to grieve, even. Yet in practice, it is often skipped, out of fear of losing momentum.

However when we actually name it - bring it out in the open - that feeling can become a 'thing' that we can work with; reflecting on perceived versus actual loss, and perhaps identifying more that we can bring along with us than we thought.

So, whether you are undergoing a change yourself or leading one with a team, don’t be afraid to take the time to process the losses as well as building excitement for the gains. 

Taking the time to pause, reflect and intentionally 'set down' what we are really leaving behind us may just make navigating the way forward feel a little bit lighter.