How to Move Forward When You Have to Put a Dream on Hold
Keep reading this post to learn:
What it looks like to name your season (and why that matters)
The small practices helping me process grief and uncertainty
How to view “in-between” seasons as preparation, not punishment
So, How Do You Gracefully Lay a Dream Down?
There’s something deeply disorienting about putting a dream on hold. One day you’re moving toward what you thought was your future, and the next, you’re standing still, living in the space between what you wanted and what is — aka your current reality.
That’s where I’ve been lately: navigating grief, caring for family, and realizing that some of my dreams have to wait. And if you’ve ever felt like you’re “on pause,” I want to share what’s helping me through this season.
01. Seek Quiet Moments
When life feels heavy, it’s tempting to drown out your feelings with noise: shows, podcasts, shopping, scrolling. But healing often happens in the quiet. Lately I’ve been giving myself permission to fold laundry in silence, drive without music, and let my mind wander. Those small pauses have been helping me actually process instead of distract.
02. Prioritize Time With God
Full transparency? When things are hard, I don’t always feel like praying or being in the Word. But I’ve learned that my faith is my anchor in these seasons. Even when it looks messy, scribbles in a journal, worship music with my daughter, slow mornings in the Gospels, choosing to spend time with God has been what lifts the heaviness and gives me peace.
03. Name & Romanticize Your Season
For weeks I resisted admitting that we had to put our moving plans on hold. It wasn’t until I named the season we’re in (staying close to family and focusing on care) that I could stop mentally living in two realities. Once I embraced it, I started finding little ways to make the season feel meaningful, like hosting backyard playdates, creating cozy “coastal” vibes at home, and savoring extra time with my granddad.
The Bottom Line?
In-between seasons are uncomfortable, but they’re also an invitation to grow in patience, trust, and resilience. Dreams on hold aren’t dreams gone forever. Waiting isn’t wasted time, it’s preparation.
So if you’re living in that messy middle, I want to remind you: you’re not stuck. You’re being shaped. You can honor your grief, name your season, and still choose to show up fully where you are today.
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