When You're Tired of Making Lemonade

Finding peace by adjusting the route, not the plan.

Hello there. Molweni. Molweni 😊

Happy Monday!

I went a bit MIA (Missing In Action) last week because I was buried in work, and I had to be honest with myself about my capacity. Thank you for understanding.

In today's post, I want to share some thoughts that have been running through my mind as we approach year-end, particularly around shifting and adjusting my goals. Maybe I’m the only one feeling this way, or perhaps my reflections will resonate with you, offering insight or sparking a sense of shared experience. This year, more than ever, I’ve had to pivot with intention; making lemonade out of the unexpected turns that life and circumstances have presented.

As we entered the fourth quarter, I sat down to review my goals and identify what I truly need to focus on in the final months of the year. One difficult realization hit me: despite my best efforts, some goals simply aren’t achievable this year. Many personal objectives are shifting, and coming to terms with that has been tough. I’ve been more intentional this year (more than usual), which makes it gut-wrenching to accept that some goals will remain unfulfilled or that certain paths have changed completely.

How have I been dealing with this? Honestly, not very well at first. The first step was accepting reality: acknowledging the cards I’ve been dealt and steering myself toward a place of acceptance. From experience, one of the most crippling things we can do is waste energy wishing for different circumstances. Accepting the circumstances we find ourselves in, even when it’s hard, brings peace and allows us to pivot and strategize more effectively.

Once acceptance is in place, the next step is rethinking strategy: how can one play the cards they've been dealt to achieve the best possible outcome? Sometimes this requires an entirely new plan, and other times it’s a subtle change in approach while sticking to the original goal. I’m currently exploring the latter. It’s not easy, but this approach has brought me a surprising sense of calm and focus.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve revisited my goals and asked myself questions like: Which objectives are still realistic? Which ones need a new path? Where can I let go without feeling like I’ve failed? This process of evaluation has been both humbling and enlightening. It’s a reminder that progress isn’t always linear, and sometimes the most meaningful growth comes from adjusting the route rather than the destination.

One strategy I’ve found helpful is looking at the building blocks of the big goal. In other words, what are the components that make up the bigger goal and what can I focus on now instead of seeing the entire unachieved goal as a failure. I focus on what I can do right now. Another approach has been prioritizing self-compassion. It’s easy to feel frustrated or disappointed when things don’t go according to plan, but I’ve learned that being kind to myself in these moments makes it easier to keep going. Adjusting expectations doesn’t mean giving up, it means acknowledging reality while staying committed to growth and progress.

Finally, I’ve been leaning into reflection and journaling. Writing down my thoughts, frustrations, and insights has been a powerful tool for clarity. It allows me to process my feelings about unmet goals, track patterns in what works and what doesn’t, and map out a way forward without judgment.

By combining these strategies, breaking goals into smaller steps, practicing self-compassion, and reflecting regularly, I’ve been able to shift my focus from what hasn’t been achieved to what can still be accomplished. It’s not a perfect process, but it’s one that keeps me moving forward with intention and, surprisingly, peace.

I know we don’t always hold space to talk about unmet goals, because the popular narrative is about “finishing the year strong.” But I want to give us permission to reflect on the process of navigating goals that haven’t been met, while still keeping momentum. We don’t have to wait for a fresh start in the new year to restrategize, we can alter the course now. Doing so allows us to approach the end of the year without the pressure of “finishing strong” and enter the new year with greater clarity. For those of us who are tired of making lemonade, it’s okay as long as we don’t give up. Sometimes, the key is to adjust the route, not the plan.

Have an intentional and blessed week.

Lots of Love,

Zizo