Grieving is part of the growing process.
The art of letting go, grieving what’s been and allowing space for what’s to come is not the easiest.
I’ve talked a lot about this lately – the stepping into new phases of growth, our next step or venture is scary and filled with unknowns. But that moment in between is really important: where we grieve and honour what’s been and served us well to get to where we are.
I see it in my clients all the time, I am the champion on the sidelines helping them see their authentic self and focus on that. For me, as an objective outsider it’s clear for me to see it – what’s right for them. But I’ve never done it myself.
Until now.
Working with my wonderful coach, Gill, in recent months, she’s been asking me what lights me up, where do I do my best work, when am I in flow…. and let’s work towards that, building a business that supports this sweet spot and getting support in for the other areas that don’t match this.
And so, I had a realisation – after dedicating my life to pure design, it was time to let this go and get (luckily amazing) designers to take on these tasks, and I can concentrate on what makes me come alive and where my new strengths are – in strategy and creative direction.
And I felt sad about it.
Why? Because it was what I knew, lived and breathed for soooooo long.
So I sat with it for a while. I grieved it. It had served me well, and I had enjoyed it immensely. I had studied it, practiced it for decades and been IN it.
It was important to do that – to do a Marie Kondo – to thank it, and to pass it on.
I’ve witnessed this struggle that other designer-cum-strategist have felt, the painful letting go to move in fresh and exciting new directions, offering greater, richer value to clients. Having the history and experience in design is vital in my work, it gives it a different perspective and layer of appreciation of the art of building brands that other pure strategists. And I stay close to it as a result – creative direction, briefing, the subtleties of visual tools and language, balance of colour, type and forms, quality control in creating exquisite design that allows clients to see themselves (often for the first time!). It’s a dream.
And so, if you’re on the fence and unsure about changing direction, of leaning into what you truly want, then sit with that feeling of discomfort. Grieve it. It allows space for what’s to come.
And that’s exciting.
Get in touch if you need support with your transformation.
Lauren
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