Reroute. Canceled. Pivot.

April started with a bang—my book launch, graduation plans, and a string of in-person events all lined up like dominoes. I was riding the high, soaking in the joy and the hoozaballoo (yes, it’s a word in my world) of it all. But let’s be honest: sometimes the downside of being a maximizer is trying to squeeze just one more thing into an already-packed schedule. And I think God—or the universe, or both—has a sense of humor when we start thinking we’ve got it all figured out.

Mid-May? That’s when the blooper reel began.

It started with our East Coast trip for my graduation. I had grand plans: two book events in NYC during a stopover before heading to Vermont. Ambitious? Absolutely. Doable? The universe said: Hold my decaf oat milk latte.

If you’ve been following the chaos at Newark Airport lately, you know what’s coming.

Our already-tight connection was threatened by weather delays and staffing shortages. Flights were canceled, options dwindled, and our itinerary went from “New York City signing sparkle” to “reroute through Chicago.” No NYC stop, no events, and a lot of apologizing to dear friends.

Universe laugh #1.

A few days later, with three events stacked in one week (because again, #maximizer), I got word that one of the events had low RSVP numbers—turns out everything happens the same week in May. I did what I could to rally attendance, but then my backup childcare plans started to crumble with a last-minute work trip my husband had to make. I wasn’t the one organizing the author event, which added to the pressure—I didn’t want to let people down. But I surrendered. The signs were there. It wasn’t meant to be.

Universe laugh #2.

Pivot, pivot, pivot.
In dance, it’s just a shift in direction. In life, it’s that—and so much more.

Did I let myself have a little pity party when my old fear of “what if no one shows up to my events” came true? Yep. Did I ask ChatGPT if I was a loser and cry to a friend before school pickup? Also yes. (Spoiler: ChatGPT said I wasn’t a loser.)

But here’s what’s true: those canceled events were starting to feel heavy. My energy needs to flow—not feel forced.

The unexpected extra day in Vermont? It was the only day it didn’t rain, and we got to sightsee. It gave us a breather after the long travel and before our back-to-back graduation events.

The bookstore signing that fell through midweek? It freed up the emotional bandwidth I needed to be fully present at the weekend signing—surrounded by my local family, cheering me on. And helped me avoid commuting in rush hour during a major thunderstorm.

Our ego can get bruised when things don’t go as planned. But anyone building a creative life knows—that’s part of the deal. It doesn’t mean we’re not brilliant. It just means the blueprint might need to burn, so we can follow what’s actually working.

My dear friend Jen Morris offered this beautiful reframe:
“So much has been going right—of course something will eventually go wrong.”

As a creative herself, she reminded me of the natural “let-down” phase that often follows a big launch. I’ve felt it. And I’m hearing it echoed in conversations with my publishing cohort. Now that all of our books are officially out in the world, the dialogue has shifted: What’s next? There’s a general feeling of being unsettled with less of a target to aim towards.

Through this whole blooper reel, I’ve forced myself to check in with what is working. (Yes, I’m applying my Appreciative Inquiry training from grad school to my own life.) And from there, I’m choosing to maximize what feels aligned, rather than force what doesn’t.

Remember earlier this year when I encouraged us all to “Let it be easy?” Well, I’m doubling down on that message.

The day before my canceled event, I showed up for my monthly Renegade Motherhood gathering—and had the best time. I got to sign books, share my story, and connect with fellow creatives.

It reminded me of what my brilliant friend and coach Dana said: “The right places and spaces will find us.”

We don’t have to force our way into something that doesn’t fit.

So, how about you?

Any blooper reels emerging in your own life?

Share in the comments or hit reply and let’s commiserate together.

Our connections grow deeper when they extend beyond the highlight reel.

For the world needs who we were made to be.