Navigating Life’s Challenges: Breathe, Feel, Adjust

Let’s be real—life doesn’t always go as planned. One moment you’re moving forward with a clear vision, & the next, you're staring down a completely different reality. Whether it’s a personal setback, a sudden change in plans, or a season that feels heavier than expected, navigating life’s challenges requires more than just pushing through—it calls for emotional honesty & intentional grace.

Being a creature of habit, when life throws a curveball, it can go in one of two ways for me: either I shake it off with a "who cares" attitude, or I kirk out & go off the deep end stressing. Both of these have its pros & cons.

• Shaking it off: On one hand, not sweating the change gave me more of an easygoing vibe. I don't give it any energy...great! On the other, not caring can come off negatively. Everyone cares about something, & your reaction can determine how a person deals with you from that point on.

• Crashing out: Some may think there's nothing positive about crashing out. However, release is needed by EVERYONE. We're human & not immune to having emotions, so we have to express them or disaster strikes (i.e. crashing out). It's part of being a healthy person. When it's not released, you end up either internally destroying yourself or bottling it up & the buildup explodes on someone who didn't deserve the brunt of all of your frustrations.

When it comes to navigating life's challenges, you have to move strategically. Not only that: practice makes perfect. A few pointers on navigating life's changes are:

The first step? Breathe & feel. Don’t rush to “fix” everything or force a new plan. Give yourself permission to sit with your emotions. Whether it’s frustration, disappointment, confusion, or grief—acknowledge it. Processing what you feel helps you avoid emotional burnout & gives you clarity for your next move.

For the most part, I take my time when I need to make a decision, especially if it can have a negative impact. I'm pretty good at staying away from being impulsive. The only rare times I'm impulsive is when it comes to my family's safety & well-being. You think about doing either, & Mocha Monster comes out to play HARD. HARD meaning "when they go low, I got the devil sitting on my shoulders in his dank basement in the deepest pits of Hell" low. I know how lethal my mouth can be, so when that other side of me comes out, you've gone waaaaaaay too far for waaaaaay too long with me. Tolerance & grace are gone; all bets are off!

My two superpowers of my breathing & feeling step are journaling & my circle. Daily journaling allows me to get everything off my chest & not have to carry it into the next day. My circle knows how to listen & reel me back in or suit up & be ready for war. Both keep me grounded, & for the most part, cool...hence the names my sisters have deemed me: Zenny & Zennamin (Don't even ask. Just know the Miles sisters have made up their share of words that probably will never be in Webster's or the Urban Dictionaries).

From there, step two is adjust without shame. Flexibility doesn’t mean failure. It means you're choosing to evolve in real-time. Maybe your timeline shifts. Maybe your goals look different. That’s okay. Adapting isn’t a setback—it’s a strength.

This is a lesson I've learned as I've gotten older. If something doesn't happen when you expect it, it wasn't meant to be. That doesn't always equal a final "no;" it just means "not right now." An even better saying I heard a few weeks ago was from Coach Stormy Wellington: "I already have it; time just hasn't caught up to me yet." #powerful

At Intentionally Evolve, we believe that healing & growth happen when you create space for the messy moments, too. When life throws the unexpected your way, remember: you can pause. You can pivot. And most importantly, you can keep moving forward—on your own terms. There are no rules set in stone so set your own. Do what's best for you as long as it doesn't hurt others intentionally.

Breathe. Feel. Adjust. Every. Single. Time!

So the next time life detours, do this: Breathe. Feel. Adjust.

You’re not off course. You’re evolving.