When to Shake Things Up: The Power of Pausing and Reframing

Last week, I hit a wall.

I had been running on all cylinders for weeks. Attending events, managing client accounts, running my business. Plus keeping up with family events and the end of the school year.

Suddenly: fever, chills, aches. Down for four days.

Of course, it was something viral (I tested negative for COVID). But I’m convinced my weakened physical state had something to do with it.

I was running too hard, without a break.

I had forgotten to take care of myself. To stop. Step back. Breathe.

So what can I learn from my mistake?

So how do you know it’s time to hit pause?

When things go sideways, ask yourself:

• Is what I’m doing still working?

• Am I stuck in a loop or just exhausted?

• Am I reacting on autopilot instead of responding with intention?

These aren’t easy questions to answer, but they’re important. When something feels unclear, that’s often your cue: you need to shift. And that shift doesn’t have to be drastic. In fact, small changes—like taking a walk, unplugging for a weekend, or simply pausing to reflect—can have the biggest impact.

The Reframe

After the pause comes the reframe.

This is where the magic happens. Reframing your situation doesn’t mean ignoring problems—it means looking at them from a different angle. It’s asking:

• What if this challenge is actually an opportunity?

• What would I tell a friend in my shoes?

• What could I try differently—not bigger, just smarter?

Sometimes, shaking things up doesn’t mean tearing it all down. It means adjusting your mindset, resetting your energy, and allowing space for new solutions to come forward.

Bottom Line

You don’t always need a brand-new plan.

Sometimes you just need a break.

A breath.

A fresh lens.

Give yourself permission to shake the Etch-A-Sketch of your mind. You might be surprised what appears when the dust settles.