Posted on Friday, 12th March 2010 by Catherine

Photo by Seraphimc

You have been waiting for this moment for months, maybe even years – the big day is near; perhaps a wedding, big race (triathlon, marathon), huge birthday party celebration, graduation, birth of a child,or large fundraising event. {For me it is the end of Mason’s treatment} The planning, thinking, celebrating, waiting and anticipation are killing you. It consumes your days and sometimes nights.   Can you relate? Have you experienced this before?

As the big day nears you start to feel anxiety over what you will do once it is over.  The let down of the big event and what life will hold after.  I remember wishing my wedding day could last forever.  After it was over it was like – well now what.  I am going to be like every other married person – no longer a “bride”.  No longer the “graduate”.  Your time is suddenly going to “free up” from thinking, planning, calling, organizing, meeting, decision making and more.

Then all of the sudden the day comes and goes – the child is born, the wedding day is over, the birthday party is a hit, the graduation is a mere memory. In a sense, you cross the finish line. You are finished – done-finito – There is often a huge let down.  It can be hard to explain – an empty sort of feeling.  A feeling of “loss” per say.  Am I the only one who has experienced this?

It can be scary.  I think it is a normal response to the “finish line”.  The type “A” people out there (not that I can relate) most likely will struggle with this phenomenon more often.  What can you do?  Here is my  thought two cents on this one.

1. Decompress – allow (or force) yourself some time to decompress, breath and take it one hour at a time.  Savor down time after a big life event.

2. Keep perspective – I know, you are rolling your eyes – here she goes with the perspective thing again…I think it is true – allow yourself to feel a bit lost or let down after the big event but know that you can’t hang on to it forever. Move on and look forward to other things that life has to offer.

3. Find a new “goal” to work toward.  Nothings says motivation like getting involved in a new activity.  Train for another (or a first) athletic event, make a scrapbook of the said event (wedding, birthday party, fundraiser)

4. Catch up on all the things in your life that had to take a back seat.  Home organizing projects, cleaning, keeping in touch with friends, reading that stack of books, play dates, coffee dates etc.

5. Embrace freedom!  Freedom from planning, freedom from details, freedom from training you get the idea.  While crossing the finish line can be a bittersweet event being on the other side has it’s benefits too!

Did you like this post?  If so consider subscribing and get more inspiration for your shoes delivered free to your e-mail or RSS feed.

Comments (13791http://www.theshoeboxdaily.com/2010/03/finish-line-let-down/Finish+Line+Let+Down2010-03-12+16%3A31%3A46Catherine)