By Susan Temple, MA, BCC, ACEP

I am a notoriously terrible gardener, known for killing all manner of plants without even trying. I always say I'm good at growing kids, not plants.

Once in a while, I get a plant that lives for a long time under my "care." I have one right now that has been alive in my home for at least six years—might be a record! I do repot it once in a while and today was the day. I've done this before, and it was always easy to get it out of the pot and into its new home.

Root bound

But today, when I went to take it out of the pot, it was so root bound that it wouldn't budge.

Break the pot

I had to actually break the pot with a hammer to get it out.

Free to thrive

The dear thing was actually still growing, despite its cramped conditions, but I'm excited to see what it does now that it has lots of space to grow and thrive.

I was sharing these photos with my daughter when it occurred to me that there have been times in my life when I've been root bound, tethered to a situation that no longer allows me to grow and thrive. I had to "break the pot" to leave my first college and transfer to one that was a better fit. I had to "break the pot" to leave a good teaching job for a school that was a better fit for me and my beliefs about kids and teaching. And I had to "break the pot" to leave my long marriage so I could move towards becoming who I am meant to be.

Are there times in your life when you've had to "break the pot"? It's not easy, it can be scary, and there will be some grief about what you've left behind. But sometimes it's necessary for growth. I'd love to hear about your experiences of "breaking the pot." Email me at susan@lifecoachsusantemple.com.