The gift of whiplash…
It has been a while, but 2026 is truly the year to bring my blog back to life!
I imagine that even reading this title might stir up a few mental images—maybe the crash test dummies we grew up watching on commercials, flailing around in a ruined car. Or perhaps you remember a time you slammed on the brakes just in time to avoid an accident… or didn’t. Did your heart rate jump a little just now?
Recently, I experienced a version of whiplash myself—but not from an accident. It came from unexpected life circumstances. Driven mostly by fear, my mental energy was consumed with trying to figure out how to move forward and manage a scary situation before we had all the information needed to make a plan. When everything seemed to be pointing in one direction, an incredible, unexpected hard left turn brought a blessing I never saw coming—and left me reeling with emotional whiplash.
Living in the land of “what ifs” often sits somewhere between being practical and being anxious. But when those scenarios came to a sudden halt—with a clear sign to wait—I felt like a cartoon character with birds circling my head.
With a little time, I found my equilibrium again, and one thought kept rising to the surface:
What a gift it is to feel this whiplash.
It showed me not only how quickly I was preparing for the worst-case scenario, but also how much I needed the invitation to slow down, to notice how I was carrying stress, and to be present instead of bracing.
Maybe you’ve felt something similar, reeling from a year of unexpected events and wondering how to move forward… I see you. Release the pressure to do everything perfect, claim unrealistic goals to fit in to the New Years paradigm, and take a breath. What hidden gift could this season have for you? What might you miss if you race past this place?
I fully believe that nothing is ever wasted- struggle or celebration, heartbreak or elation… There is a purpose that is worth noticing, slowing down, and letting yourself dream how it could be brought together for your good.
