Sometimes the hardest part of growth isn’t the work — it’s the pause.

It’s creating space to question if we’re still on the right path; if we’re still in alignment.

I always find that in the pause, clarity rises.

A new direction can take shape.

And often, we create our most meaningful work — not through force, but through the grace of time and space.

But it can be hard to slow down the freight train of momentum that we’ve built for our current ideas and projects.

So when I find myself unsure — caught between holding on and moving forward — I return to these five questions.

They’ve helped me reconnect to joy, realign my direction, and let go with confidence.

I hope they offer the same for you.

Photography Lynden Foss

1. Is your heart still in it?

This is the question that changed everything for me.

Not: Is this working?
Not: Can I keep going?
But: Is my heart still in this?

Sometimes the answer is yes — just tired. Other times, it’s no — but I’ve been too busy to admit it.

When your heart leaves the work, it becomes heavier. You can still deliver. But the spark is gone. And over time, it shows — in your energy, your tone, your resistance.

Try this: Take one of your current projects or offers and ask: Would I still choose this today — without pressure, obligation, or fear?

2. Does this bring me joy?

This isn’t about chasing momentary excitement.
It’s about recognising what genuinely lights you up.

There will always be hard days — but the work itself shouldn’t constantly feel like a drain. At its core, does it bring you energy? Do you look forward to doing it? Does it make you feel more like yourself?

Joy is not indulgent. It’s informative. It’s a sign you’re in alignment.

Try this: Write down a list of the parts of your work (or life) that feel good right now — and the ones that feel heavy. What patterns do you notice?

3. Are you holding on because it’s familiar — or still aligned?

One of the hardest parts of creative work is knowing when to stop just because it’s what you’ve always done.

We often stick with paths, products, services, or ideas because they’ve worked in the past. But alignment isn’t static. And what worked once doesn’t mean it’s still the right fit.

Ask yourself: Am I staying because I genuinely want to — or because it’s what I’ve always done?

Try this: Write the phrase “I no longer…” at the top of a journal page and see what comes out. Let it be honest. Let it surprise you.

4. What would this look like if it were fun?

When everything feels like effort, it’s time to shift the lens.

Fun doesn’t mean easy. But it does mean engaging. Nourishing. Something you’d choose, even if no one else was watching.

I often reflect on the times in my life when I’ve thought, “I can’t believe I get paid to do this.”

Those moments of lightness, play, and flow are clues. I try to connect with that part of me — the one who felt giddy excitement about starting on the journey.

Try this: Take your current offer, service, or schedule — and reimagine it from a place of joy. If you could redesign it with ease and fun in mind, what would change?

5. Is this a hell yes?

Sometimes clarity is softer — a whisper, a nudge, a gentle knowing.

But sometimes, you just know.

There’s an unmistakable feeling when something is a hell yes. It lights you up. It energises you. It feels aligned in your bones — even if it’s hard, even if it’s unknown.

If it’s not a hell yes… maybe it’s a gentle no. Or, a not right now. Or, a not like this.

Try this: Ask yourself: If I could choose freely, with no pressure, no fear, no expectation — would this still be a yes? Not just a logical yes, but a whole body yes?

Let that answer guide your way.

The Takeaway: Let Joy Be Your Compass

Don’t worry, you don’t need to have it all figured out.
You don’t need to make a drastic change overnight.
But you can take this opportunity to connect with your inner knowing, and create from a place that feels in alignment with the direction you want to go.

So…

If something feels off — pause.
If something feels heavy — explore it.
If something feels joyful — follow it.

Clarity doesn’t come from pushing harder.
It comes from listening more deeply — and learning to trust what you hear.

GO DEEPER

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The Creative Shift: How to Know When to Pause, Pivot, or Let Go