Rebalancing time

The French word régularisation is one that I haven’t found the proper translation for in English. I learned this French term the hard way when I was charged a large sum of money [taxes] at the end of the year to make up for the money I had not paid throughout the year. It’s an “even-ing out” of things, a rebalancing. And as the French have taught me, it happens whether we want it to or not.

In English, I have heard the term “regulate” used, as in we regulate emotions. I don’t know it still doesn’t have the certain je ne sais quoi that the French term uses. “Re-calibrate” is another word that has come to mind, and while it very much describes the action, there is something about recalibration that feels more intentional than the régularisation that happens to us like it or not. Another idea that came to mind is an adaptation, or re-adaptation, period. Like how we recover from jetlag.

I’ve come to see how this happens in business and in life, but also in our body—specifically the nervous system. We can only move at hyperdrive for so long before our systems overload and need to regulate. In other cases, I’ve seen friends “jump off cliffs” (aka had MAJOR life changes). We rarely jump from one mountain to another without having some kind of adjustment period, no matter how good and exciting these changes are.

In the midst of these big life changes we rarely are aware that this happens at all. It can be jarring when it does happen. It’s all part of the larger discomfort of transformation, just in another form. Yet, it’s something that we too blissfully ignore that happens, both as individuals and as a society, but is extremely helpful to be aware of as we navigate life. Knowing it’s happening can help us feel more grounded, and less exhausted (or even less “broken”). It’s a different kind of reality that accompanies the good things that come our way.

Régularisation is about getting comfortable in the new phase of life. When it comes to taxes, it means I earned more than I did the previous year. In life, it means we’re learning to adapt to a new uplevel, and the challenges that may come with it. While this régularisation and rebalancing may not always feel like a welcome invitation, really it’s a sign of growth.

Life can’t be lived all the time at all or nothing. It needs moments of balance and harmony as well. It’s another way that seasons or chapters of life unfold. Nothing is forever, but this phase is also a “re-working phase”—the work has been done, now it needs a dose of patience and acceptance of what comes along with life changes. Often the best way through is by accepting things will take the time they take, and granting ourselves grace and self-compassion along the journey.

Then one day you’ll wake up and everything flows again.

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