I came across this blog in my "drafts" it was written in late 2025 - telling you because, sometimes, context matters...**
Have you heard of the dash?
I was recently listening to a poem being recited on a podcast. It was all about "the dash" - the time between your year of birth and your year of death - everything that happens there. How each of us has a chance to make an impact through our choices, or not making choices, whatever the case may be. That every single thing forms the story between the dashes. Not just any story...your story!
And... it made me think about all the other 'mini dashes' that occur in our lives that become part of the bigger picture. No matter how significant or insignificant they may seem, they too are becoming a part of the bigger picture, your bigger picture, and each and every one is an opportunity to learn and grow.
For you the dash could be the beginning and ending of a relationship, the beginning and ending of your schooling, the beginning and ending of a trip, it doesn't have to be big.
I recently closed a dash in my life and here's what I plan to do:
I'm going to start by planning on going nowhere, doing absolutely nothing. Yep, you read that correctly...pausing. Not for long. That's just not how I'm made... but long enough.
Long enough to:
Let my path come to me rather than chasing it.
Being okay with the gap.
This feels right for me right now and is also counterintuitive to how I would usually respond. My typical response? Looking for the next thing and getting antsy if I can't see it. Not this time. Yes, this time, because life is always providing us with opportunities to pause. We don't always take the time to do it, or have the luxury to do so.
I'm going to allow myself some space to just be. To let the lessons bubble up and be excited when they do because that's the best part...when we allow ourselves to reflect and learn and then consequently, grow. Remembering that growth doesn't come from pristine circumstances it starts in the soil and the dirt and you have to give it time.
How about you? Is this something you've ever thought about?
Are you ready?
Let's get to it...
Your challenge...
How do you manage your "dashes"?
If this is a new concept for you, take some time to reflect on one recent dash in your life. It doesn't have to be something that feels significant.
Or maybe think about somewhere in your life where you're ready to close the dash. It could be you're considering moving, maybe you're leaving a situation that feels right to leave now. Whatever comes to mind for you.
What If instead of running to the next thing you take some time to pause. To reflect.
To let the lessons come.
Then move forward.
What would be different then? What new information would you pull forward with you?
In the middle of a change? Contact me
**I'm happy to report that after a couple of months of "just being" rather than doing, I jumped right back into "things". Including a new book entitled: "You Wouldn't be Here if You Hadn't Been There..." due to come out this summer! Can't wait for you to get your hands on it!
Cheers,
Ann
*Confidence *Mindset *Performance Coach *Author
Have you ever thought about the space between the dashes?