The Process of Expanding (April 2025)
- Lay Jordan
- Apr 28
- 5 min read
Hey everyone!
Have you ever found yourself in that exhilarating yet overwhelming space where multiple dreams are unfolding at once? That's exactly where I've been this April. Between managing projects, diving into educational pursuits, and navigating personal growth, life has felt like a whirlwind of possibilities and challenges.
EMBRACE: The Dance of Expansion
I was honestly blown away by how my theme "expand" meshed with all the growth happening this month. Like many of you probably experience, I found myself walking that delicate line between ambition and overwhelm. But here's what I discovered: expansion isn't just about doing more or being more - it's about how we show up when everything feels like it's happening at once.
The beauty of this journey revealed itself in unexpected ways. Those moments when everything felt like it was spinning a bit too fast? They weren't obstacles - they were opportunities to witness my own growth. It's in these pressure points that we truly see how far we've come.
REFLECT: When Growth Meets Reality
Looking back at patterns from 2023, I noticed something interesting: intense periods of growth often created a kind of tunnel vision, where other aspects of life temporarily faded into the background. But this April brought a different kind of awareness. It wasn't about fighting obstacles - it was about recognizing how easily we can slip into autopilot, even after months of intentional practice.
TRANSFORM: Key Lessons & Insights
That tension between our ambitious goals and current capacity? It's not a sign of failure - it's growth in action
Our true development shows not in comfortable moments, but in how we handle challenges
Sometimes the biggest expansion comes from awareness, not action
Growth periods are valuable, but maintaining perspective across all life areas is crucial
Taking time to acknowledge our progress is just as important as pushing forward
In the quiet moments of reflection this month, I've discovered something profound about my journey. The constant push for rapid progress, while admirable, has created unnecessary pressure that dims the natural joy of growth. This realization isn't about stepping back from my ambitions - it's about honoring the natural rhythm of progress. Each moment of stillness, each pause for creativity, and each breath of spontaneity are not distractions but essential ingredients in building something meaningful and lasting.
As I embrace this gentler approach to growth, I'm learning that my ambitious spirit doesn't need to compete with my need for creative freedom. There's a beautiful strength in allowing space for both structured progress and playful exploration. By setting realistic timelines, welcoming moments of rest, and treating reflection as a vital part of expansion, I'm not just working toward my goals - I'm creating a sustainable journey that honors both my dreams and my wellbeing. This isn't about slowing down; it's about moving forward with intention, wisdom, and an open heart.
Affirmations
For the Lunar Cycles, I create affirmations. I am sharing the affirmations I created for the cycles prior to this post. The New Moon was in Aries on March 29th, and the Full Moon was in Libra on April 12th.
New moon affirmations
I AM persistent and determined in pursuing my goals
I AM magnificent and a magnet for opportunities alike
I AM patient as I move through another phase of healing to make room for my next chapter
Full moon affirmations
I BALANCE my goals while nurturing myself
I BALANCE my personal life and professional aspirations
I BALANCE my health and wellness journey with self-compassion
Romanticizing
Month's Vibe
April has been a month of intense mental expansion, balanced with moments of external joy and self-discovery. The combination of working on my podcast show notes, pursuing educational goals, and celebrating my nephew's first birthday created a beautiful tapestry of growth and connection.
Overview
Content Created this month
I posted a little differently this month, focusing on show notes. There have been no new Podcast Episodes or YouTube videos, so I am hoping to reintroduce those back slowly in May (Mostly the Podcast, I still have decisions to make about YouTube content).
Blogs
Things I've been loving
The satisfaction of completing long-pending projects
That I had quality family time at my nephew's birthday
Teeccino (My new favorite tea brand)
BBQ Grilled Chicken Quesadillas
The fact that I finally finished my Gilmore Girls re-watch and I'm almost done with the Reboot
Things I am stopping vs things I am continuing with
I am stopping… | I am continuing… |
Overcommitting to unrealistic deadlines | Consistent work on podcast content |
Avoiding social media out of fear | Prioritizing health and wellness |
Being too hard on myself | Balancing productivity with rest |
Conclusion
Looking back, I would assign a score of 6.5 out of 10 to this month.
Despite the intensity, this month represented significant growth in my content creation journey and personal development. The balance of productivity and self-care, though challenging, showed me what I'm capable of. The experience was also pretty bittersweet this month. I got a lot done, but I just don't think I prioritized my health goals as much as I usually do especially when you do try to walk over 10k steps even though it is supposed to be gentle in comparison to intense workouts and better for preventing cortisol level spikes, it's still physically demanding for me because my feet are flat and spending that amount of time dedicated to movement often left me physically weary and drained my energy. So I had to cut my steps back a bit so I would be able to stay awake longer to do more activities. Unfortunately, I also had an experience where a family member at the celebration, as soon as they saw me, mentioned how I had gained weight. Coming from a West Indie family member, they say things more matter-of-fact as opposed to meaning to insult you, yet I still found myself sensitive over it for the majority of the party.
Biggest lesson of the month: True expansion isn't just about doing more - it's about growing wisely. Sometimes, taking a step back to rest or enjoy entertainment isn't a detour from growth; it's an essential part of the journey.
I look forward to May's “wrap-up week” for the show notes and the exciting milestone of Episode 50, I carry forward April's lessons about balance, growth, and the courage to face our fears.
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