When Old Illusions Crumble: Finding Your Path in a New Era
"An era can be considered over," said Arthur Miller, "when its basic illusions have been exhausted."
Arthur Miller
As I watch world events unfold like a car crash in slow motion, Miller's words really resonate. We're living through the exhaustion of illusions that have propped up our systems for decades - illusions about endless growth, about tinkering with broken systems, about maintaining a status quo that serves few at the expense of many.
But what happens when these illusions crumble? What comes next?
There’s a Tussle Going On
Walking alongside and listening to leaders and changemakers this year, I've observed that we're moving through a profound transition. The old guard - what I call the Preservers - are desperately trying to maintain systems that no longer serve us. Meanwhile, Destroyers are actively dismantling these systems, often without regard for what comes after. There’s a tussle going on.
This leaves many of us feeling lost, exhausted, and uncertain. Especially those of us who see ourselves as builders, as regenerators, as people who want to create something better from the rubble.
The challenge isn't just surviving this transition - it's maintaining our humanity, our vision, and our energy while we wait for the moment to rebuild. It's about staying connected to what's real and true when everything familiar is shifting.
Finding Your Footing When Everything's Shifting
How do we maintain our balance when the ground beneath us is moving? How do we keep our fire burning when winds of change threaten to extinguish it?
The answer isn't in clinging to old illusions or trying to preserve what's clearly failing. Instead, it lies in:
Acknowledging what's ending without getting lost in grief
Staying connected to what's real: community, human needs, planetary boundaries
Spotting the green shoots of new possibilities, even in challenging times
Protecting our energy while witnessing destruction
Building small, regenerative systems that can grow when the time is right
The Power of Coming Together
This isn't work we can do alone. When illusions crumble, we need spaces where we can make sense of what's happening, where we can support each other, where we can maintain our connection to purpose and possibility.
That's why I'm inviting you to join our next Breathe group coaching circle. In this intimate bi-monthly gathering, we:
Create a safe space to process what's happening in our world
Support each other in maintaining energy and vision
Develop practical skills for building what comes next - whatever that may be!
Connect with others who are holding space for regeneration
Your Invitation to Join Us
If you're feeling the weight of this transition, if you're wondering how to maintain your energy and vision while old systems crumble, if you're looking for a community of fellow builders and regenerators - this space is for you.
Our next BE group coaching starts in January. We meet bi-monthly online, creating a container for reflection, connection, and renewal.
Ready to find your footing in this new era? Find out more here
Sometimes the end of illusions, while disorienting, is exactly what we need to see clearly and build something better. Are you up for it?
