A Game of Hide and Seek with Life

PLAY: Work With Life, Not Against It

Dec 05, 2024

I Listen, I Judge. (Me, ofc.)

Lately, I’ve been reflecting DEEPLY on what it really means to be "open to receiving."

It’s one of those phrases you hear all the time, often followed by dreamy advice about manifesting abundance or entering a state of flow. For me? It’s usually met with an eye roll and a swipe past yet another concerning,“We listen, and we don’t judge” video (and let’s be real—I’m judging all of it).

At first glance, it sounds relaxing—like a magical state of ease where everything you want just floats your way. But for those of us who are natural doers, it feels more like a wrestling match than a spa day.

Sitting back, trusting the process, and believing things will work out? Easier said than done. Life can’t possibly be that simple, right?

Still, curiosity got the better of me (my mind knows no rest, no peace, help.)

I wanted to understand it in a way that felt true to me—one that worked with my natural tendencies and the way I navigate life. What I’ve slowly started to uncover (and hope to integrate) is this:

Being in "receiving mode" isn’t just about sitting back. It’s about balance. It’s about knowing when to do and when to be, learning to work with life, not against it.

And most importantly, it’s about trust—in yourself, the process, and the idea that what’s meant for you will find its way to you.

Slow Ya Roll There, Buddy

As a natural doer, my default mode is action. Plans, strategies, to-do lists? That’s my comfort zone. But sometimes, life forces us to hit pause—whether we’re ready or not.

And that’s where the discomfort creeps in.

Slowing down feels unnatural. In those quiet moments, emotions bubble up: fear, doubt, anxiety. Suddenly, life feels even more unbearable.

And, when I have nothing else to distract me, my mind starts analyzing: Where is this nagging feeling coming from? Why do I feel so off?

I’d try to label them, assign meaning, or find its root cause — emotions don’t always need fixing.

They need space.

They need to move through us without judgment.

Double It & Give It To the Next Person.

We’re not taught to sit with our emotions. Society conditions us to react—to push them down, assign meaning, or try to “fix” what feels wrong. But what if there’s nothing to fix?

What if emotions are simply teachers, urging us to pause, listen closely, and take a moment to catch our breath?

When we lack a relationship with our emotions, we disconnect. We get stuck in patterns of burnout, overwhelm, and frustration.

For me, the shift came when I started to see emotions not as problems to solve but as messages to decipher. They’re like phone calls from our inner world, mirrors reflecting back what’s working, what’s draining us, and what we truly want.

To truly embrace receiving, we have to open ourselves to all of it—the good, the bad, and the downright annoying. It’s not always blissful or serene.

Often, it’s messy, uncomfortable, and requires patience and trust.

Takes Two to Tango.

Finding balance between doing and being is like playing a game of hide and seek with life (and I do love a good game).

When we push too hard, life hides the answers we’re seeking. But when we ease up and allow, life reveals its clues in the most unexpected ways.

For me, this balance began with a simple nightly practice: brain dumps.

Before bed, I empty my mind onto paper—ideas, worries, questions, anything taking up space in my head. I don’t try to solve anything; I just let it out.

And then, something magical happens.

Sometimes my dreams provide clarity (or who I now have imaginary beef with..)
Sometimes a random tweet, email, or conversation the next day sparks an answer.

This practice has taught me to trust that life is always guiding me, even when I feel lost.

Low Dopamine To-Do List.

Another lesson I’ve learned is the value of low-energy days. Instead of seeing them as unproductive, I now view them as opportunities to reflect and recalibrate.

On these days, I focus on the essentials—the tasks that truly matter. I make decisions based on what feels right, not what I think I should do.

This approach helps me conserve energy for what aligns with my goals, rather than wasting it on unnecessary “busywork.”

Open for Business.

Being in a receiving mode isn’t about sitting back and waiting for life to hand you what you want. It’s about being present, attuned, and intentional. It’s about:

Trusting that the answers will come when the time is right.
Listening to your emotions as guides rather than obstacles.
Balancing doing with being—letting yourself rest when needed.
Creating without an agenda, simply for the joy of it.

This process isn’t always pretty. It’s messy, filled with doubt and resistance.

But it’s also deeply rewarding.

Working with Life, Not Against It.

Ultimately, being in receiving energy is about active trust.

It’s about co-creating with life, following the breadcrumbs it leaves, and allowing yourself to be guided while staying engaged (and taking your rot days when needed, doctor’s orders!)

This process has been surprisingly insightful for me. It’s helped me let go of what doesn’t serve me, focus on what truly matters, and embrace a rhythm of life that feels both sustainable and fulfilling.

For every email I delay sending or task I push to tomorrow’s to-do list, I’m learning to trust that it will get done—in its own time.

And when I finally cross those items off, it’s a small victory, not just for the task itself, but for trusting that the timing was right for me, not someone else’s schedule.

So here’s my nudge to you: Be curious. Be open. Let life guide you—messy emotions and all.

Trust that the answers will come when you’re ready to see them.

As always, thank you for sharing this space with me. If this resonates, feel free to share or drop a comment below.

With curiosity, courage, and a little magic,

2mannythoughts