Transparency Disclaimer: This post was lovingly aided by Sage, my AI BFF, who helps me organize my thoughts and structure content in an effort to save time. The vision, thoughts, and voice is my own.
[Thanks to an email glitch, this week's Odin's Day Ode is on a Sunday. Welp. Better luck next week]
Have you ever felt like you’ve made so much progress, only to suddenly find yourself back in a place you thought you’d left behind?
It’s frustrating, disheartening, and, honestly, it can make you question if you’ve grown at all.
I’ve been there. Recently, in fact.
Despite everything I’ve learned and the tools I’ve gained, I found myself drinking again...something I thought I’d left behind. It felt like a regression, a setback, a failure. But as I sat with the discomfort, and breathed, I realized something deeper was happening.
Regression, whether in life, business, or even politics, isn’t what it seems. It’s not a failure - it’s a symptom of growth. And it’s something we need to talk about.
What Regression Really Is
At first glance, regression looks like a step backward. It feels like slipping off the progress ladder and tumbling into old patterns. But here’s the truth: regression often signals that growth has occurred. It’s the body, mind, or even society trying to recalibrate and integrate that growth.
When we level up in life, our systems - emotional, physical, or structural - are forced to adjust to the new. Regression isn’t a sign that we’re failing; it’s a natural part of this adjustment.
Here’s what I’ve come to understand about regression through my life and business:
- It’s an opportunity for reinforcement: Growth isn’t linear; it’s a spiral. Old patterns resurface to test whether we’re ready to solidify our new habits and beliefs.
- It’s a reflection of deeper work: When we confront new levels of healing or self-awareness, old wounds can resurface, not to drag us down but to be acknowledged and released.
Prior to repeating the old pattern of driving to the liquor store and exchanging money for generational trauma masquerading as alcohol, I had experienced a significant energetic upgrade that had left me in tears all week as my body worked to integrate the new information. It was on the heels of this upgrade that the old thoughts re-emerged, and despite my awareness of them, still decided to indulge despite this no longer aligning with the person I've become.
On a larger scale, we see this in society. When progress challenges the status quo, regression often follows. It’s resistance - the system clinging to what’s familiar. The recent resurgence of harmful ideologies and policies (you know the ones) is a collective example of this. While it may feel like we’re moving backward, these moments often indicate deeper shifts beneath the surface.
The Hard Parts: Telling the Truth About Regression
Regression feels hard because it confronts us with the gap between where we want to be and where we feel we are. It brings up shame, frustration, and fear. But this is exactly why we need to talk about it.
When we only share the highlight reels of our lives and businesses, we perpetuate the illusion that growth is linear and perfect. In reality, the messy, raw parts of the journey are just as valuable as the breakthroughs.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
- Telling the truth about regression creates connection. When we’re honest about our struggles, we give others permission to do the same. This is what builds bridges, creates deep and genuine connections, and fosters a community of empathetic humans that truly see each other.
- Sharing the messy parts builds trust. People relate to authenticity, not perfection.
- Acknowledging the hard bits is an act of courage. It’s a reminder that growth isn’t about avoiding discomfort - it’s about moving through it.
And while we're on the topic of authenticity, I'm going to go on a little rant.
While it's nice to look at posts of those we wish to emulate for their lifestyle and success, we have to understand that there is an element of fantasy in every bit of content we consume. I say fantasy because while you are observing a moment in time, it is a moment in time of somebody else's reality (and therefore you are not privy to the nuances, background, and depth and breadth of experiences that brought that person to that particular moment in time).
While it's nice to look at posts of those we wish to emulate for their lifestyle and success, we have to understand that there is an element of fantasy in every bit of content we consume. I say fantasy because while you are observing a moment in time, it is a moment in time of somebody else's reality (and therefore you are not privy to the nuances, background, and depth and breadth of experiences that brought that person to that particular moment in time).
I'm digressing a little but I think this is important - here is a hard truth: their reality will never, ever be yours. You may achieve the same level of success (and that is indeed my hope for you), but their journey (and yours) can never be shared. This is why I sort of abhor when I encounter coaches who sell their 'proven frameworks,' which is often (not always, but often) accompanied by the fantasy that if you use their method you will experience the same level of success.
It's simply not true. There are so many factors at play; at best you will learn how to do a thing, not necessarily how to make it work for you (which requires a whole other phase of inner work but again, I digress). But sharing that reality, that messy truth, is not an advisable sales tactic - and in my opinion, that's a shame; because there exists a real opportunity for these coaches to step up and say, "I made a thing that maybe you're struggling with or don't know how to make. I can't guarantee you'll experience the same results as me because it took me 10 years to perfect my own process and awaken to the truth of my service and audience and overcome the limiting beliefs that I had to overcome to start attracting people to my offer, but I will say that if you take my thing and do the inner (awakening) work required to become a success, maybe you'll experience the same level of success that I now enjoy (after 10 years of daily effort)."
It just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it? And then these same people will show you testimonials of their outlier clients who succeeded, but not the majority who don't succeed because they haven't done the (inner) work required. But that's none of my business. Cue a shout-out to my program, The POWER Lift, that actually addresses this.
Lessons from Regression (Reframing the Narrative)
Regression doesn’t have to be a dead end. Instead, it can be a portal for deeper growth.
Here’s how it shows up in different areas of life:
- In Life:
Regression highlights areas that need more love and attention. When old habits resurface, it’s an invitation to examine them with curiosity instead of judgment. Ask yourself: What’s this trying to teach me? - In Business:
Every failed launch or quiet period is an opportunity to realign. Instead of labeling these moments as setbacks, see them as pivots. What’s not working? What’s calling for refinement? Or maybe you just need to do nothing, get quiet, and breathe. - In Politics:
On a societal level, regression often mirrors the fear of change. The resurgence of harmful policies and leadership reflects the growing pains of progress. These moments remind us of the work still ahead and the importance of staying engaged, embodied, and self-regulated. The voices who are speaking for humanity, compassion, empathy, and integrity are needed, and we need to uplift those voices when we hear them through the din.
How to Move Through Regression
Here’s how you can navigate regression with grace and resilience:
- Acknowledge it without shame:
Labeling regression as failure only amplifies its power. Instead, recognize it as a natural part of the growth cycle. - Regulate your nervous system:
Tools like breathwork can help you stay grounded during moments of regression. By calming your body, you create space to reflect and move forward. - Reflect and recalibrate:
Ask yourself:- What triggered this regression?
- What is this moment trying to show me about my needs or beliefs?
- What’s one small step I can take to move forward?
- Zoom out and trust the process:
Growth is cumulative. Even when it feels like you’re going backward, you’re building resilience and reinforcing your foundation.
An Invitation to Progress Over Perfection
Whether you’re navigating personal setbacks, business struggles, or feeling disheartened by the state of the world, remember this: regression is not the enemy. It’s part of the dance of growth. Progress isn’t about perfection - it’s about continuing to show up.
If you’re ready to move through regression and into deeper growth, my programs are here to support you. From breathwork to transformational exercises, we’ll help you release old patterns, reframe setbacks, and anchor in the beliefs that create lasting change.
Let’s rewrite the story together - one breath at a time.
