Occasionally in life, we encounter moments that by all appearances should feel aligned. An opportunity arises - something we’re qualified for, capable of doing well, even intellectually interested in. But beneath the surface, there’s hesitation. Not dread. Not resistance. Something quieter. Subtler. A dissonance we may not be able to explain.
For many years, I interpreted this feeling as fear. A sign of imposter syndrome, perfectionism, or a lack of confidence. But with time and reflection, through my own development and the work I’ve done with others, I’ve come to see these moments differently. What if that feeling is just data or another form of information?” Increasingly, I believe this subtle tension is often not fear, but discernment. A form of embodied intelligence trying to tell us something essential.
Rather than being a signal to push through or that something is wrong, this sensation might be the body’s way of communicating misalignment. The invitation is not to override it, but to get curious. To ask: What am I sensing here? What is this moment revealing about what I truly want? What part of me is speaking and am I willing to listen?
Remember that learning what doesn’t work is just as valuable as learning what does work for you. What if listening to whatever is being “said” allowed life to have more ease, less tension?
The Intelligence of Energy
In coaching, we often talk about “energetic patterns” - the way our systems respond to certain environments, decisions, or relational dynamics. These responses often precede language. They live in the nervous system, in subtle changes in breath, posture, attention, or mood. When we override them consistently, we begin to experience depletion, detachment, and, over time, burnout.
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