The Cycle Of Life - 2024 remix

Okay, 2024, we get it. You’re extra. Inflation is through the roof, climate disasters are now a regular part of the news cycle, and technology (looking at you, AI) feels like it’s moving faster than we can keep up. On top of all that, most of us are just trying to figure out how to afford groceries without taking out a second mortgage.

Feeling like it’s all too much? Yeah, me too.

So many of us are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about what’s next. But if you’ve landed here, I want you to know this - you’re not broken and you're not failing. You’re in a cycle. A natural, inevitable rhythm of endings, stillness, and beginnings that’s as old as the earth itself.

Which is why I'm here to walk you through The Cycle of Life. One of my favourite frameworks to help make sense of what’s happening, find a little hope, and (dare I say it) trust that you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be (even if it feels like a dumpster fire right now).

This isn’t about fixing everything overnight (I wish). It’s about seeing the bigger picture - how endings make way for beginnings, how stillness is where transformation takes root, and how you’ll come out of this cycle stronger, clearer, and ready for what’s next.

Let’s get into it.

Phase 1: Separation – Bye-Bye, Comfort Zone

This is the phase where everything falls apart. A job ends. A relationship fizzles. Your favourite yoga studio closes, and suddenly you’re spiraling (just me?). Or maybe you’re grappling with bigger shifts - like the fact that affordable housing feels like a distant dream, or that the world’s political landscape (yes, again) has thrown everyone into a tailspin.

Separation is about leaving the familiar, whether you wanted to or not. It’s messy, chaotic, and full of resistance. No one likes letting go. But here’s the thing: this phase clears the way for growth. It’s like ripping out old carpet to make space for hardwood floors. Painful? Yes. Necessary? Also yes.

Personal Reflection: What in your life feels like it’s falling apart? What might be waiting to grow in its place?

Phase 2: Rest and Rebirth – The Awkward Pause

If you thought Separation was uncomfortable, welcome to Rest and Rebirth. This is the in-between phase where nothing seems to be happening, or so it feels. Think of it as winter. Everything looks dead and barren, but underground, the soil is alive with possibility.

In 2024, this might look like recalibrating after massive shifts. Maybe you’re reevaluating your career path after being downsized, figuring out how to rebuild after a climate event, or simply catching your breath amid the non-stop pace of modern life.

This phase requires patience (ugh) and trust (double ugh). It’s hella uncomfortable to sit in the unknown. But this stillness is where the transformation and magic happens.

Personal Reflection: What would it look like to lean into this stillness instead of trying to force things to happen?

Phase 3: Integration – Bring It All Together

Ah, Integration. This is the moment when the chaos makes sense ... well, kind of. It’s where you start putting the pieces back together and step forward with the gifts of your journey.

Globally, we’re beginning to see glimmers of this. Communities rebuilding after disasters. Grassroots movements demanding equity and justice. Individuals stepping into leadership roles to shape the future.

For you, Integration might look like stepping into a new role at work, starting your own podcast, building something creative, or finding new meaning in your relationships. It’s about returning to life, but as a changed person.

Personal Reflection: What lessons are you carrying forward from this cycle? How can you share them with others?

Nature and the Cosmos Always Know What’s Up

When I’m knee-deep in uncertainty, I turn to nature and the cosmos to remind me that it’s all part of a bigger picture. Nature doesn’t panic when the leaves fall or the river changes course. And the stars? They’ve got their own rhythm too.

Take Pluto, for example. This powerhouse planet of transformation just re-entered Aquarius, where it’s setting up shop for almost the next two decades. Pluto is like the cosmic wrecking ball that demolishes what’s no longer working - systems, mindsets, structures - and replaces it with the possibility of something far better.

Here’s why this bring me a sense of hope: In Aquarius, Pluto is about the collective. It’s digging up what’s broken - inequality, corruption, environmental exploitation - and asking us to DREAM BIGGER. To imagine a more equitable, compassionate world. To mobilize for change, together. As my fave astrologer Chani Nicholas puts it:

"Pluto in Aquarius teaches us that we can rebuild a kinder world from the rubble of the past when we work together toward a shared dream for a more compassionate, equitable future."

Where Are You in the Cycle?

Take a second to ask yourself:

Are you in Separation, watching your old life crumble and wondering what comes next?
Are you stuck in the stillness of Rest and Rebirth, itching to move forward but not sure how?
Or are you in Integration, ready to share your hard-earned wisdom and step into your next chapter?

Wherever you are, it’s exactly where you’re meant to be.

Journaling Prompts To Guide Your Journey

No matter where you are in the cycle - letting go, pausing in the stillness, or stepping forward - these prompts are here to help you reflect and grow:

Separation:

What have you been holding onto that feels heavy or outdated? How might releasing it create space for something new?
Reflect on a recent ending or transition. What emotions has it stirred up, and how can you honour those feelings without judgment?
What fears or resistance come up when you think about letting go? How might facing them lead to growth?

Rest and Rebirth:

When life feels uncertain or “on pause,” how do you usually respond? How might you approach this time differently with patience and trust?
What small, quiet practices can help you feel grounded as you sit in the unknown? (Think: time in nature, journaling, or simple daily rituals.)
Imagine yourself a year from now, looking back at this moment. What seeds might you be planting now that your future self will thank you for?

Integration:

What lessons, strengths, or new perspectives have emerged from this cycle of change? How do they shape the person you’re becoming?
How can you share what you’ve learned with your community or loved ones in a way that feels authentic and meaningful?
What new opportunities or possibilities are you ready to embrace as you move forward?

Final Thoughts

Transformation is never easy. Endings hurt. The in-between feels endless. And the rebuilding? It takes heaps of courage. But you’re never moving through these cycles alone. Nature walks this rhythm with you. The cosmos mirrors it back to you. And every time you let go, pause, and rebuild, you’re stepping into a new version of yourself ... stronger, wiser, more alive.

As we navigate these collective and personal upheavals heading into 2025, remember that you’re part of something bigger. Just like the earth finds its way back to growth after a harsh winter, and just like Pluto is guiding us to dismantle the old to create something more just and compassionate, you, too, are evolving. ✨

You don’t need all the answers right now. You don’t have to see the whole path. Trust the process (triple ugh). Trust the cycle. And trust yourself. Wherever you are, know that you are exactly where you’re meant to be.

p.s. I called this the '2024 remix' as I originally discussed The Cycle Of Life during the pandemic. If you'd like to check out that version, click here.