162. From Performance to Presence: The Courage Of Letting Go

In this new episode of Rise and Play, host Sophie Vo introduces a new podcast format that reflects her journey in leadership, coaching, and transforming her business to creating the ORIN retreats. She explores the theme of ‘letting go’, examining the need to release relationships, jobs, and identities that no longer serve us.

Joined by co-host Maria Gillies, they discuss the challenges and emotional experiences involved in letting go, including professional setbacks and personal growth. The conversation dives deep into overcoming shame, embracing vulnerability, and the importance of reconnecting with the body through various somatic practices.

The episode concludes with practical advice on facing the storms of life head-on, maintaining integrity, and seeking communal support during transformative times.

Sophie’s Key Highlights

The Cycle of Death and Rebirth: Make It A Ritual

Sophie observes that as the seasons change, “the summer is gone,” inviting us to introspect and recognize what needs to be released. She speaks about how approaching winter serves as a perfect metaphor for retreating inward and examining what we need to let go of.

She encourages redefining our relationship with endings by embracing them as opportunities for new beginnings. Sophie explains, “Our cells are dying every day. We are in a permanent cycle of death and life.”

The Body Always Knows

Reflecting on her most difficult moments in her career, Sophie mentions feeling “frozen” in moments of realization, acknowledging that her body was responding to situations that required change. She states, “I knew deep down that no job should make you feel this way,” highlighting the body’s role in signaling the need for transformation.

“I knew deep down that no job should ever make me feel this way,”

Why Leaders Don’t Do the Inner Work?

Sophie underlines that leaders often avoid confronting failure due to shame and guilt, projecting these feelings onto others instead. She asserts that recognizing and sitting with these emotions is crucial, saying, “It takes courage to face it, to listen to it, and also act on it.”

The Moment When “You Know”

Sophie shares how she realized it was time to leave a company when asked to make decisions that conflicted with her integrity. She describes a pivotal moment:

“I promised to myself. Never again.”

Sophie talks about letting go of certain friendships and relationships that are no longer aligned, taking different paths. “Some friendship died unfortunately, but they had to as part of constant recalibration and realignment.”

She discusses the evolution of her work with ORIN, expressing a newfound openness to leading retreats for men after initially focusing on women. “I didn’t choose to do it, but listened to the signals I received and followed my intuition”.

A dozen of conscious men already stepped forward with ORIN, to dive deeper in their journey of self-inquiry and redefine what a modern man and leader should be. To walk the talk.

How Do You Know When To Let Go?

Reading The Signals to Let Go

The journey of letting go begins with recognizing the signals. Life often whispers to us before it shouts. For Sophie, the signals were often visceral—a body shock here, a deep feeling of paralysis there.

These were signs that something wasn’t aligned in her life. Emotional cues, such as a persistent sense of unease or dissatisfaction, are also indicative. Listening to our bodies and emotions is crucial in identifying when to let go.

Taking A Step Back, Retreat

Once the signals are acknowledged, the next step is evaluation. This involves reflecting on whether the current path aligns with our true selves.

Sophie shares the importance of contemplative practices like journaling. Spending time alone, in nature, retreats, can offer clarity. It’s also beneficial to engage in conversations with trusted individuals who can provide objective perspectives (i.e. mastermind, coaching, therapy, sharing circles).

Practices for Grieving and Moving On

Letting go is as much about embracing new beginnings as it is about grieving past endings. Sophie emphasizes the importance of rituals in this transition.

Writing letters of forgiveness, burning them to symbolize closure, and creating a safe space to process emotions like grief and pain are integral practices. The goal is to acknowledge emotions without being consumed by them.

✍️ Coaching and Journaling Practices

* Mindful Reflection: Set aside time regularly to reflect on your life’s alignment. Use mindfulness practices to connect with your inner self.

* Body Awareness: Engage in activities that reconnect you with your body, such as dancing, yoga, or meditation. These practices help in recognizing physical signals of discontent.

* Community Support: Surround yourself with a community that understands the value of growth and transformation like circles and mastermind. Engage in conversations that challenge and inspire.

* Rituals of Release: Develop personal rituals to denote the end of cycles. Whether through writing, art, or nature retreats, find ways to symbolize closure and welcome new beginnings.

Conclusion

Letting go is an art, a continuous journey of self-assessment and courageous decisions. It requires us to challenge our comfort zones, embrace discomfort, and trust in the natural cycles of life.

As Sophie and Maria beautifully illustrates, when we let go, we create space for abundance and opportunities to enter our lives. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey; support, guidance, and collective wisdom are just a reach away.

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