(image via Dauvit Alexander - Flickr)
Last week, the kids told me they learned how to limbo at school. Even backwards, they reported, proudly.
I used to wonder why that game was called limbo, but I think I know now. That feeling of bending back and forth, moving unsteadily, as far as you can, knowing that at some point you might fall? That’s how I feel right now.
We are at the intersection of a litany of unknowns. Jobs and schools and houses and cities are all – potentially – up in the air. I’m a planner by nature – I research the heck out of whatever is the next thing. Sometimes it’s a problem, this need to know what’s coming next. I don’t want to miss the NOW by focusing on what’s next. On the other hand, thinking ahead has served us well – from little things like buying jackets before we need them so we HAVE them on that first cold day, to researching pregnancy/labor/breastfeeding, trying to be prepared for that next stage, when it comes.
Being in limbo doesn’t suit the planner in me. I find myself researching neighborhoods, not knowing where we might move; contemplating networking events that could have a tremendous payoff in one scenario or serve as a waste of time and resources in another; debating projects, trips, plans, purchases all intersecting the great unknown.
I bend as far as I can, keep moving forward, and try not to fall.
So cute that they learned to limbo!
We are in a similar place right now, and I am the same way, so it’s causing me lots of stress. Thought I’d share just so you’d know there’s someone in the same place too.
I feel that way occasionally.
Life can be so uncertain and I am also a compulsive planner. I find that the best thing to do is to make myself prepared for a few different possibilities and hold my breath. Whatever will happen, will happen whether I’m ready or not. So I might as well try to be ready.