Shifting Seasons, Shifting Rhythms
There’s something about September. It’s not about the falling temperatures (although that hasn’t happened in North Carolina yet!) or that we’re seeing Halloween decorations in the stores and all things pumpkin spice.
For me, I always feel a shift. I often take some time off to clear my head and prepare for what’s next. For those who are neurodivergent, change can be hard. Some like things to be very structured and predictable. Others resist, thinking that “This isn’t the way it’s supposed to be.”
This happens in the corporate arena, as well as for those of us who are creatives and entrepreneurs. What do you do when changes come?
Here are some tips:
- Pause and take a breath. It’s time to hit the reset button.
- Reflect on what’s going right but acknowledge what needs to change.
- Ask yourself if there’s something you need to start (or stop) doing.
- Tap out some slow, easy beats on whatever you have handy. Just 2 or 3 beats with each hand. Add affirmations or Bible verses, if you like.
The cost of not shifting
When you ignore things that either you’ve put up with or that you know you need to change, there is a price to pay for this. This could be financially, emotionally, or even physically.
In the music world, if someone in the band isn’t keeping the tempo, it can throw everything off. If you’re ignoring your own personal rhythm, you might experience interrupted sleep, weight gain (or loss), inability to focus or complete things, sickness, burnout, anxiety and stress, or even adrenal fatigue.
And this can sneak up on you without you even knowing it.
When in doubt, drum it out
I’ve worked with many teens and adults who knew that something was off. By sitting and drumming together (using hand drums), I got them to shift their rhythm and find a new beat. In the process, they were able to shift their mindset. Their anxiety and stress levels dropped as well.
It doesn’t seem logical but I’ve seen it happen time and time again. Sometimes, you have to stop obsessing about things and just drum it out!
Embracing the shift
You may discover that you may need a new strategy, a new system, or new surroundings. Maybe you need to surround yourself with different people. Or maybe it’s time to ask God if something needs to change and what you need to let go of in this season so that you can embrace something new.
If your rhythm seems off, I’d like to offer you a complimentary “Rhythm Check”. This is a 20-minute virtual mini-session where we talk about what’s going on and we’ll do a few simple exercises together, so you can see what one of my sessions looks like. Simply click this link and select a time that works for you.
I’m Dori Staehle. I’m the owner and Chief Encouragement Officer at Next Stage Drumming & Coaching. I love helping kids and adults who are neurodivergent and those dealing with anxiety and stress find their “rhythm” so they can rise up and rock the Next Stage of their life. Feel free to reach out! You can also check out one of my inspiring books: “Find Your Divine Rhythm: A Creative’s Success Formula” or “Rise Up & Rock: Activating Your God-Given Purpose” .
