09/24/2026
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the ability to adapt—my own and others’.
For a few weeks now, I’ve noticed that my energy has been lower than usual. My interest in my work and responsibilities has felt heavy, and my emotions have been all over the place.
When I first noticed it, I connected it to some grief that resurfaced around a loss that wasn’t recent. I assumed some of it was because my home is still unsettled after significant damage from an August storm. I also considered that my new schedule and splitting my time between two clinics might simply be tiring me out.
But when I didn’t bounce back within a week or two, I became concerned.
Was I missing something? If so, what?
So I started listening more closely to what my body and mind were asking for.
I craved quiet. I wanted to be alone with my animals after work. I wanted to watch silly shows on TV. I wanted time in nature. I wanted rest.
I’ll be honest. It felt awkward.
I teach people to honor their needs and listen to their bodies and minds. Now I needed to do the same. And the information I was getting wasn’t particularly compatible with what I thought I *should* be doing.
I’m usually ambitious and focused. I use my time well. I’m productive.
Suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to do…nothing.
At first, I struggled with that realization. I felt a little sorry for myself. I questioned almost everything.
Then I decided not to push through it.
I allowed myself to rest between activities. I watched TV…during the day! I stopped using every bit of free time to create social posts, blog posts, and articles. I batched an entire month of writing and then actually allowed the available time to remain available.
And what happened next is what I already know happens when we honor what we need.
I started to relax.
The world didn’t fall apart. My business didn’t fail. The bills got paid. And I discovered, once again, that I didn’t have to manage everything all the time.
Slowly, I can feel some of my energy and interest returning—not because I forced myself back into my usual pace, but because I gave myself room to respond to what was actually happening.
And maybe that’s an important part of adaptability that we don’t talk about enough.
Adaptability isn’t always about becoming better at handling more.
Sometimes it’s recognizing that the conditions have changed and allowing ourselves to change with them.
Sometimes the adaptive response is to move forward.
Sometimes it’s to slow down.
And sometimes it’s to stop expecting ourselves to function exactly as we did before life asked something different of us.
I’m still finding my way through this season, and I’m paying attention to what comes next.
The irony is not lost on me.
Apparently, I get to practice what I teach, too.