Explanation:
The idiom refers to a ship that has been tipped over in the water.
In this case, the crew takes action to steady the boat so that it is upright.
A few years back, I was living a contented life. Moving toward twenty-five years of marriage, kids at the point of semi-independence with one in college and one graduating high school with a four-year commitment made, a job that, while not exciting, helped in the growth of our future. I was just over 50, and the years of chaos were in the rearview mirror. Or so I thought.
Here’s the thing… I was so content I didn’t look out the window to see that a storm was coming—one that would rip out my roots with the force of the wind and make me clean up the debris of my life and start over.
My story is not unique. While my squall was an illness, for others, it is the dissolution of a relationship, the loss of a job, or the loss of one’s own identity and self-worth. Whatever that pivotal moment is, it’s a mental game changer, and we come out on the other side on shaky ground. We start to question, “What now?”
What now? It’s a loaded question and, quite frankly, a bit overwhelming because the answer is painted in very broad strokes. Let me explain this in the simplest form we can all relate to: physical fitness. We have all said at one point that we need to get into shape, eat healthier, or lose weight. So we buy the exercise equipment, join the gym, and stock our fridge with fresh veggies and lean protein.
The first week, things go great. The new you is killing it. However, the next week, you don’t want that salad again. You hit the snooze button instead of hitting the exercise bike. You realize that going all in is not only unachievable—because no behavior can change overnight—but also that you invested time and money into a goal that now seems impossible. Sound familiar? So, what now?
What do you do now? Right your ship. Restructure your goals. It’s not about making one big change; it’s about making several small ones. It’s not about saying, “I will exercise every day for 60 minutes.” Instead, it’s about committing to being active for 15–30 minutes. This could be walking the dog, mowing the lawn—whatever gets you moving.
I know that these small waypoints on my journey have allowed me to reach my destination without being knocked down. Sometimes it’s a short trip, and other times, it’s a plan for a longer voyage, but it’s all possible because my vessel is prepared and ready to go!
