The Art of Letting Life Come to You

Sometimes, standing still is the best course of action

Lately, I’ve been striving. My natural state is one of action, drive, momentum and carpe diem, dammit. I am also a dreamer, filled to the brim with ideas, projects, and goals. In the past year, this creative drive has manifested in a daily (and almost aimless) scramble – following every shiny object, investing in every half-baked idea, investigating every potential collaboration, and searching frantically for the ‘key’ that will open doors of opportunity for me.

Like the metaphorical seeker in the orchard, I have been madly shaking every tree with hopes that something – anything – will bear delicious, ripe fruit.

Of course, what I have been missing (read: ignoring) in my determination to create momentum, is that Life currently has other ideas for me. Doors aren’t opening as easily as they used to, ideas that worked in the past are falling flat, and things aren’t flowing as steadily as I would like. I’m eager to ‘do’ but there’s nowhere for me to put my ‘doing-ness’.

Faced with obstacles, my immediate response has always been to do even more; to push harder, shout louder, adapt, change, pursue. For goodness’ sake, my mind says, just don’t ever stop trying ‘cos if you do, you’ll lose out. Miss your opportunity. Fail to move forward.

It’s a response many of us have, and I believe it’s because we have been taught this way.

In this modern world, we have become totally divorced from our natural impulses. Instead of understanding and cooperating with life’s inherent rhythms – ebb and flow, push and pull, activity and rest – we have come to believe that every moment is a moment for action. We have absorbed the idea that our progress is solely dependent on our commitment and application; that our success depends on us getting out and making life happen for us.

And this approach often works. For a while.

But then something often happens – we lose authentic momentum and the things that worked previously don’t seem to pay dividends anymore. Doors slam shut. Projects don’t take off. Previous successes stop reaping dividends. When things stop moving forward like this, our immediate instinct is to doubt ourselves and what it is we are doing. “Why isn’t the process working anymore? What am I doing wrong? How must I change to get things back on track? What if this is the end? What if I never get there?”

Throughout late 2025, I am exploring our relationship with time and life’s timings. On reflection, I can see that it may be no coincidence I chose this topic, at this time. I am being asked to remember a powerful understanding: that it is imperative (and incredibly beneficial) to let life come to you sometimes.

Experience has shown me that if we can find the courage to step back when life appears to be offering us a “lull” – if we use these times to just catch our breath, focus on ourselves, review, rest and have some fun – the tide inevitably turns back to action at some point. The wind will, once again, return to our backs and doors of opportunity will begin to open.

I have also learned that in this space of restfulness, it is easier to see when to act, on what, with whom, and where. We are able to see the emerging opportunities that are truly leading us to our desired target and we avoid burning out on needless, directionless, mindless and often unproductive doing.

Regardless of what it is you are pursuing – a career, a creative project, a heartfelt dream, a personal version of success – I invite you to change your perspective on those inevitable “slumps” in progress. What if these moments of stuckness are natural periods of sabbatical? What if, in a deep unconscious part of ourselves, there is a primal need for isolation? Rest? Reflection? Self-nurturing? Hibernation? Review or, often, realignment?

What if we allowed life to come to us in these moments and simply let it all be?

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Many of us, in our modern lives, have become disconnected from the concept of natural timing and life’s innate rhythms. Throughout late 2025, I am exploring what it means to have a healthy relationship with time and the natural cadence of life. My exploration continues this month of August when I will be sharing tips on how to be patient with goals, find stillness and surrender, and let life come to you. Join me on Instagram or Linkedin for regular updates and insights.