Looking back over my life, the list of what I have waited for is somewhat daunting. In my adult life alone, I have waited for: high school to finish, college to start, college to finish, grad school to start, grad school to finish, dating to begin, engagement to take place, marriage, children and home buying (more than once). I have also waited on my business to start and my business to grow. In relationships, I have waited for friendships to be conceived, for relationships to grow and for reconciliation when things went sideways. In my family, I have waited for loved ones to get better and for my sorrow to heal when they did not. I can personally say that I have spent much of my life waiting. And even today, there are big and small things in my life I am waiting for and I am guessing the same is probably true for you.

Waiting is not easy and it reveals us. It reveals our beliefs, our fears, our hopes and our convictions. It reminds us we are not in control of the outcome, only part of the process—the part that just involves us. And “what we do with us” during this process matters.

I am by no means an expert at waiting, but here are some things I have found helpful to hold onto during seasons of waiting or what I call “the in between.”

1. Ask yourself who you want to be in the waiting. Do you want to look back and find you were stressed, not sleeping, over or under eating or generally anxious? Or do you want to look back and see someone that was waiting but doing so with a sense of both peace and anticipation. Ask yourself who you want to be and what steps you need to take to be that person.
2. Go back to the basics. What do you do that you know works to buoy your mental health? Do you run, read, meditate, meet up with a certain friend? Whatever you know to do that promotes health and peace, do those things while you wait.
3. Enlist help. Who can help you while you wait? Do you want to meet up with a supportive friend that is historically encouraging? Do you need to go to therapy? If you are already in therapy and still having a difficult time, do you need to have an evaluation for medication? Sometimes medication for depression or anxiety can be helpful during especially long seasons of waiting. You may not need to stay on the medicine (ask your doctor), but sometimes it serves as a “helpmeet” while you are attending therapy and doing the other things you know that promote tranquility.

I hope that whatever you are waiting for, it turns out just the way you hope. In the meantime, if you need help in the waiting, we are here. Our therapists can help you identify the skills and add the supports you need so that you can be the best version of yourself while you wait.

Please contact Life Enhancement Counseling Services at 407-443-8862 to schedule an appointment with one of our licensed mental health counselors.