Hi Butterfly!
Where the heck did January go? It flew by and I’m actually glad because it means we’re a bit closer to spring. YAY! I am sure you can tell by now I am not a fan of winter! This got me thinking about the recent post I wrote about introspection and “checking in with ourselves”. Because of the challenges over the past few months, I have hibernated lots in January to regroup and get it together. I call this “cocooning”. Do you allow yourself to “cocoon”? Everyone loves a beautiful butterfly, but let’s take a look at what it took (hey, I made a rhyme) to emerge into this beautiful creature.
The cocoon is a protective barrier to keep the insect safe while it goes through a transformation. It’s a place of stillness, darkness, quiet and of course, SOLITUDE….and it can flat out suck. When I began my Spiritual journey in my late 20’s, I didn’t understand how important these times of solitude were and neither did my friends. They thought something was seriously wrong with me or that I was depressed and anti-social. Normally, I was Miss Party Queen, but I was choosing to stay in on Saturday nights to read, journal or paint. SAY WHAT? I felt emotionally raw and weak at the time, so retreating to my sanctuary, safe haven or cocoon was the only way I could get my strength back. Now, I have learned to embrace these beautiful times of growth and looking inward and will “come out and play” when I’m ready. My closest peeps understand this about me now with no judgment or ridicule. Real friends understand. Thank God for those amazing friends who don’t put pressure on us and just let us “be”!
We all want to stretch and spread our wings, but it’s virtually impossible to do so without first spending the necessary time we need in our cocoons. Transformation is amazing, but it is definitely not easy. It doesn’t happen over night either. We need times of stretching and we need times of cocooning in order to change. IT’S A PROCESS. TRUST THE PROCESS. Many fear being alone to face their issues, but what you achieve on the other side is SO worth it. The STRUGGLE to emerge and break through the cocoon is what builds our STRENGTH. We all know that the butterfly will die if it comes out of the cocoon too early. That’s why it is so important to be patient with ourselves during these times of growth. Don’t rush it! We are different when we emerge (Hallalujah) so we have to really be in tune with ourselves and perhaps learn a new way of doing things. You will relate to the world differently and vice-versa. Some friends may adapt to the new you and some may not. When you make the decision to become ALL you can be and set out on a serious self-development journey, your friends may change. You will outgrow people and that’s ok. Those people have the same right to stay where they are and yes, that’s ok too.
Many mothers have expressed to me that they don’t have time to focus on their spiritual growth because they are too busy focusing on their children’s growth. Hey– I totally get it, but I say you have to make the time! You owe it to yourself. Don’t stunt your growth just because you are raising your kids. I know busy mothers do not have the luxury of taking a month to hibernate and decline social engagements, but you can take a 1/2 hour in the mornings or a few hours on the weekends. Little moments of cocooning are better than none at all.
THIS WEEK I WILL:
- Let go of the fear of looking inward.
- Spread my wings when I’m ready to fly.
- Embrace my transformation and never compare it to others.
- Be unapologetic in my choice to grow.
- Not rush it.
- Trust the process.
- Respect where others are on their journey.
- Be happy where I am whether I’m stretching or in the cocoon.
- Release those friends who do not celebrate the new me.
- See my potential and nurture it.
- Stay excited with the expectation of what’s on the other side….even though I’m not sure what it is!
I celebrate you!
Remember to share, like, or tweet this post if it encouraged you. Maybe a friend could use some encouraging as well.
Whether you are currently in the cocoon or out there flying high, I hope your week is full of amazing moments.
Love You Sister,
Tiff
SANCTUARY OF STYLE 
Thank you so much for this…Absolutely what I needed to read right now. I have been cocooning for so long that I have started to come down on myself a bit and feel almost like I had lost myself somehow in the process. Thank you for the reminder that this is all part of my transformation and that fun, social, crazy side of me will always be there when I am ready to embrace it.
Thank you so much for this post Tiff. This was absolutely what I needed to read right now. Now I feel so much better!
This is what I have been doing for several months now. I enjoy the quiet time and I’m also thankful for my true friends that understand me. Thanks for the inspiration.