The last mile is the longest one
Monday Musings
Here’s your mantra for the week! This week’s card is from my Cards for Creative Courage oracle deck. You can get it here or here.
We all know the home stretch is the hardest part. At least, I assume we all do, since it’s such a common thing to say.
I definitely know it to be true. No matter whether I’m finalising the draft of a novel, a new service or coaching programme, an oracle deck, a tarot challenge or spread, or even a book filled with spreads, I always feel like giving up right before the end.
I don’t, because I’ve learned to recognise that feeling, and that particular part of the process, but I do feel it, and it does make me struggle, and it does drive me up the wall every single time.
When you’re in this phase, you might not always be aware that you’re in it. Sometimes, this phase sneaks up on us, or we’re so immersed in our creative projects that we’re unable to see where we are in the process. This can make it very hard to continue.
What we need to do here is take a moment and step away from what we’re doing. The longer I wait before I pause, the harder it’ll be for me to create the distance I need (and the longer it’ll be before I figure out what’s going on with me exactly).
As soon as I do take that pause – and the overachiever within me finds it incredibly challenging to take any sort of break, so it usually takes me much too long to get there – it often becomes clear soon enough why I felt about ready to give up completely and toss my work in the nearest bin. And why I shouldn’t!
Taking a moment, taking a couple of breaths away from my project, allows me to see the bigger picture. And that allows me to acknowledge where I am and where these feelings are coming from.
Like I already said, that doesn’t make the feelings go away, but it helps me to keep moving forward, despite feeling in the depths of my ego self that that I should just call it a day and quit.
That this is an inevitable part of the (creative) process becomes even more obvious when we look at the tarot. In the tarot, the Nine of Wands is the card of resilience, of our faith being tested, of perseverance, of determination, of not giving up just yet. It is also the second-last card before the journey from the Ace to the Ten of Wands is completed. As such, the Nine of Wands represents this idea that the last mile is always the longest, is always the hardest, and serves as a reminder – and a promise! – that we’re almost there.
For the upcoming expanded anniversary edition of Tarot for Creatives, I’ve been creating exercises around specific tarot cards and how they relate to specific creative struggles. Below, I’ll be sharing the one I created around the Nine of Wands, which is perfect for those who are currently in the middle of the home stretch and very close to walking away. You’ll find it below.
Happy creating this week, and go get it!
xx Mariëlle
Caught in the middle tarot exercise: Are you ready to give up?
To do this exercise, you will need a physical tarot deck. If you don’t have one, but you are struggling with the home stretch, leave me a comment and I’ll draw the cards for you.
Shuffle your tarot deck of choice and locate the Nine of Wands.
The card directly below the Nine of Wands shows you why you’re about ready to give up.
The card above Nine of Wands shows you how to keep going.
If you want a reminder as to why you should keep going, look at the card above that one. It’ll show you.
Reiki Clearing
If there’s anyone who, through their expectations, demands, or lack of support, is holding you back in your creative process, a Hosanna clearing can help clear the air between you two and frees you of any attachments that are not, or no longer, for your highest good.
I often do this type of clearing, which I call ‘a cord-cutting ceremony with a kick’ since it’s so effective, for my coaching clients, and I’d love to do one for you if this is something you’re struggling with. You can book one here or here.
I *so* needed to hear this today. Thank you!