Riding the "Lifequake" Like a Boss!

Oct 9, 20243 min read

So, let’s talk about lifequakes. Yes, you read that right—lifequakes! I learned about this term today, and honestly, it gave me life (pun intended). A lifequake is when something unexpected happens that shakes up the whole trajectory of your life. At first, it feels like everything is falling apart, but that earthquake moment can actually be the thing that transforms you, pulling out a better, stronger, more badass version of yourself. I’m talking about that glow-up where you're standing in the ruins of what you thought was your life, just glowing—looking like you stepped out of a Beyoncé video, holding your edges intact, and saying, “Is that all you got?!”

Let me pause for a second and speak to all my extroverted introverts (like myself). I know—our social battery dies faster than an iPhone with 20 tabs open, but life still happens, doesn’t it? Sometimes we’re out here trying to manage a career, family, friendships, and church responsibilities while not losing our dang minds. And let’s be real, it’s tiring when the people who seem to have limitless energy come asking why you didn’t respond to that group chat. I mean, Susan, do you see my lifequake happening? Sometimes you just need that quiet time to recharge and refocus while the whole world is moving around you. And guess what? That’s okay. It’s part of growth.

Now, about those people who go ghost during your lifequake (or theirs). You know who I’m talking about—the ones you don’t hear from because they’re out here dealing with their own personal "stuff." It’s not that they’re ignoring you; they’re busy navigating their own journey. So, before you catch feelings, pause and think: maybe they’re going through a transformation too. We all need that time to focus on ourselves without having to explain it to everyone. Don’t take it personally, fam. Just send them a “hope you’re good, hit me up when you’re ready” text and move on. You gotta let folks be on their own journey without feeling some type of way about it.

Now, here’s the funny part: lifequakes are like Beyoncé’s "Break My Soul." You know, it’ll knock you down, make you scream into your pillow, but then you get up, adjust your crown, and strut out the door like nothing happened. Lifequakes can suck, no lie, but they’re necessary. Growth? Yeah, that hurts too, but it’s so worth it. Whether you're healing from a breakup, navigating job stress, or just trying to figure out why your edges keep breaking, it’s all part of the process.

So, how do we get through it? Here are a few ways to ride the lifequake wave:

1. Self-Review, Sis! (And Bro, too): Take a step back and ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” And not just the surface stuff, like “maybe I shouldn’t text my ex,” but real deep, reflective stuff. Look at the root of the issue and see where you can grow.

2. Laugh Through It: Find the humor in it, because, honestly, sometimes the drama is too much. Did you really get mad because you missed your 10th Zoom call? (Yes, yes, you did.) Did you roll your eyes so hard at church that your whole body leaned? It’s okay to laugh at yourself and the ridiculousness of life sometimes.

3. Boundaries Are Your Friend: Stop letting people take your energy when you need it for yourself. It’s okay to say “no” or to disappear for a little while. Extroverted introverts unite (but separately in our own homes, please).

4. Keep Moving Forward: Even when you feel like you’re standing still, you’re growing. Trust me, sis (and bro), just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it's not happening. Keep going, even when it feels hard.

5. Spice It Up: Don’t forget to add a little flavor to your journey. Do something unexpected, whether it's finally rocking that bold lip color or sending that spicy “just thinking about you” text to your significant other (or to yourself—hey, we’re all about self-love here!).

I know lifequakes can feel like the end of the world, but trust that it’s just the beginning of something better. So, go ahead, shake things up, lean into the discomfort, and know that on the other side of that lifequake is the glow-up of a lifetime.

And if you need to check out for a bit? That's okay, too. Just let folks know you're on your journey. We all need a minute to grow from time to time.