The past two weeks have been rough for my family. First, Charlotte got the flu. Then James. And finally, it hit me last Sunday. I’ve been in bed almost the entire week, canceling all my calls and responsibilities because I could barely function. I know so many people have been dealing with the flu this season, and let me tell you—it’s no joke.

Thankfully, my husband started feeling better mid-week, my mom was able to help, and Charlotte went to her play school, which meant I actually got to rest. And honestly, I don’t know what I would have done otherwise. It made me think—what if we had another child? Or what if there had been things in my business that absolutely couldn’t be moved? Even though I had support, it was still challenging to step away from my work.

James and I were talking about how getting sick as an adult is so much harder than when you’re a kid. Children get to just be sick. But as adults, we carry the mental load of life—responsibilities, finances, caretaking. It’s never convenient to get sick, and for those of us running our own businesses, it adds an extra layer of complexity.

So, what do you do when you physically can’t show up? When you can’t take calls, respond to emails, or even think clearly?

You surrender.

✨ What Does It Really Mean to Surrender?

The definition of surrender is: To cease resistance to an enemy or opponent and submit to their authority.

But in this case, the “opponent” isn’t an external force—it’s life itself. Surrender means letting go of the illusion of control and trusting that everything is unfolding as it should, even when it feels inconvenient or difficult.

Here’s the thing—I’ve definitely had times when I was running on empty and didn’t get sick. So when illness does hit, I truly believe it’s an invitation. An upgrade. But here’s the key: you only receive the upgrade when you stop resisting and fully surrender.

Most of us fight sickness. We try to push through, “stay strong,” or at least hurry our way back to productivity. 

For years, surrender was something I struggled with. I liked the idea of it, but in reality, it frustrated me. How could I just let go when there was so much to manage?

But something shifted for me a few years ago. I realized:

• No one was going to die because I rescheduled a call.
• The podcast would still go on if I pushed back an episode.
• The email could wait.
• Taking five days off to rest wasn’t the end of the world.

In fact, especially this week, the worst thing I could have done was try to push through—because it would have only delayed my recovery. 

And yet, that realization alone isn’t full surrender. That’s just rationalizing the need for rest. True surrender is bigger than that. It’s not about justifying why rest is okay—it’s about trusting that everything will still work out, even when you don’t micromanage every detail.

This time, I fully surrendered. I allowed myself to be stripped of everything—my routine, my expectations, my to-do list—and in that space, so much clarity came through.

✨ And What if the Surrender Brings An Upgrade?

A friend shared that one of her mentors says, “Whenever you get sick, it’s life upgrading you.” And while I don’t compare the flu to something chronic or life-threatening, I do believe that illness can bring unexpected clarity. 

There’s something about being forced to stop that helps you see what actually matters. And maybe even a little bit of fever delirium helps bring guidance, too. 😉 

✨ What This Week Taught Me

When it comes to being sick, surrender means accepting that some things are beyond my control. I can take all the supplements, disinfect the house, wash Charlotte’s hands 100 times a day, take my vitamins, eat well, get rest—and still get sick.

But in that forced stillness, I gained some major clarity:

1. A personal realization (that I’m not ready to share yet!) completely caught me off guard—a possibility I never imagined myself considering.
2. Way too much in my company still relies on me, and that has to change. That’s not a business; that’s just me carrying too much.
3. My prices are going up for my coaching and consulting. It’s time to go to the next level.
4. I need to set higher standards for the people I allow into my life—both professionally and personally.

These are the kinds of things that come through when you stop resisting and actually allow yourself to receive.

✨ What Can You Do to Surrender?

Maybe you’re not sick right now, but I invite you to reflect on where in your life you’re resisting instead of surrendering. Here are a few things you can ask yourself:

• Where am I gripping too tightly? What’s something in my life or business that I feel I must control, but deep down, I know I need to release?
• What would happen if I trusted more? If I let go of the constant need to manage everything, what possibilities could open up for me?
• Where can I make space for rest, even before I have to? Do I only allow myself to slow down when I hit a breaking point, or can I start building rest into my routine?

And if life is currently forcing you to slow down—whether through illness, burnout, or unexpected challenges—I encourage you to lean into it. Instead of resisting, what if you asked:

“What is life trying to show me right now?”

Because when we surrender, we allow ourselves to receive the full gift of an experience. Resistance keeps us in a state of, “I don’t want this, I wish it wasn’t happening.” But surrender allows us to see what life is trying to reveal.

And this week, life revealed a lot to me.