How You Can Create Space for Clarity — Anytime, Anywhere

Remember how I told you in the post “When Your Heart and Mind Align: Finding Clarity Through Reflection” that I was on fire about leaving behind the security of a steady paycheck to pursue what I love full-time — coaching?

Also remember that leaving behind that steady paycheck was a whole different story?

Well… welcome to that story!

A Quick Recap: The Two Sides of Me

To give you some context:

✅ I’m deeply rooted in my faith.

✅ And I tend to logic my way through life — living mostly on the left side of my brain.

So, when I felt the call to transition from corporate to coaching, I analyzed it from every possible angle. I prayed about it — a lot. And I was pretty certain it was the right thing.

And yet…

I found myself realizing, once again, just how long the journey is from the head to the heart.

Technically? It’s less than 50 cm or about 18 inches give or take. But we all know — emotionally and spiritually — the distance can feel a lot longer.

How Did I Finally Make the Jump?

My coaching training at Western Seminary gave me a solid foundation. It aligned with my belief system, and an important part of that training involved a lot of peer coaching.

How many coaching hours do you think my peers logged helping me navigate this head-to-heart journey? Yep, you guessed it — plenty!

And how many miles do you think I walked along the picturesque Foster City levy, praying for clarity? Right again!

My Go-To Tool: The Breath Prayer

One simple tool I return to — time and time again — to quiet the mental noise and make space for clarity is a breath prayer.

My personal favorite?✨ Psalm 46:10a: “Be still and know that I am God.”

Inhale: Be still.

Exhale: And know that I am God.

But here’s the thing:

I know not everyone shares my faith — and that’s perfectly okay.

So, let’s explore a science-backed technique that anyone can use to create space for clarity, whether you’re navigating a major life decision or simply feeling overwhelmed in the moment.

Why It Works: The Neuroscience Behind Slowing Down

When we’re overwhelmed, our brain activates the sympathetic nervous system — triggering the “fight, flight, or freeze” response. This ancient survival mechanism floods our system with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, priming us for quick action.

But here’s the problem:

In today’s fast-paced world, this stress response often stays activated far longer than necessary — keeping us stuck in a reactive state where clear thinking feels impossible.

When we pause and breathe intentionally, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system — also known as the “rest and digest” system. This signals the vagus nerve, which slows your heart rate, reduces cortisol levels, and shifts your brain out of survival mode.

✨ Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist at Stanford, highlights that even a few slow, intentional breaths can restore mental clarity by regulating the nervous system. One particularly powerful technique is the Physiological Sigh — a double inhale followed by a long exhale — which quickly reduces stress and brings your mind back to a calm, focused state.

How to Try the Physiological Sigh

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, try this simple yet powerful technique:

🫁 Double Inhale:

Breathe deeply through your nose, filling your lungs. Pause briefly, then take a second, shorter inhale to top it off.

😮‍💨 Slow Exhale:

Release the breath slowly through your mouth, making the exhale longer than the inhale.

🔁 Repeat:

Do this 2–3 times to quickly reset your system and calm your mind.

✨ In under a minute, you can shift from chaos to calm — and create space for clarity.

🎥 Curious to see it in action?

Watch this short (less than 5 minutes) YouTube video by Dr. Huberman: Breathing Techniques to Reduce Stress and Anxiety | Dr. Andrew Huberman on the Physiological Sigh

The Moment Clarity Found Me

Looking back, the clarity I found didn’t happen overnight — and it didn’t come from thinking harder or pushing through.

It came when I finally paused long enough to let my heart speak.

But here’s the thing:

Pausing to listen isn’t just for major life decisions. It’s one of the most effective ways to quiet mental noise, reduce stress, and reconnect with what truly matters — anytime, anywhere.

What’s Next: Lessons, Learning Curves & New Beginnings

Having made the jump, I’ll share my Q1 Reflections in next week’s post:

💡 Lessons, Learning Curves & New Beginnings: A Look Back at My First Quarter.

Stay tuned for the ups, downs, and everything in between!

🎯 Ready to Move Forward with Clarity and Confidence?

I’m here to support you as you navigate life’s transitions — whether you need ongoing guidance, a thought partner in a tough moment, or connection with others on a similar journey.

💡 Monthly Packages: Ongoing support as you explore possibilities and take intentional steps forward.

👉 Schedule your free coaching consultation to explore monthly packages: moveforwardwith.coach/contact

⏱️ OnDemand Sessions: When you need a thought partner during a challenging moment.

🤝 Group Sessions: Connection and growth with others facing similar challenges.

🌟 Special Offer for April:

If you’ve been affected by recent layoffs, I’m offering 70% discounted On-Demand sessions to support you through this time.

👉 DM me on LinkedIn or email me at renate@moveforwardwith.coach to take advantage of this offer.

👉 Explore all my offerings: moveforwardwith.coach

Thanks for reading.

With gratitude,

Renate