Imagine a time-traveling volcano—a force that endures centuries, exploding with raw energy and then resting in silence. Living with this approach means letting life flow through cycles of action, patience, and growth. A volcano’s presence is defined by these phases: quiet but powerful. Each stage builds upon the last, moving with purpose through both eruptions and stillness.
We should all make the most of each time-traveling volcano phase - quiet, simmering, and eruptive - with steady rhythm and intentional actions.
1. Dormant Phases: Building Layers in Quiet
For a volcano, dormancy is more than just stillness. Beneath the surface, it’s a time to gather energy, allowing hidden forces to grow. In life, dormant phases give time to reflect and absorb what’s happened, forming a solid base for future actions.
Practicing Patience in Stillness
Patience forms the foundation here. A dormant phase means letting things take shape without rushing. This is the time to gather experiences, knowledge, and inner reserves, trusting that each will come together later.
- Take designated times for quiet in your routine, letting thoughts settle without pressure. Morning stillness or a break in the evening can help form this habit.
- Use a journal to record observations without trying to draw conclusions. This creates a layer of depth, setting up insights to emerge naturally.
- Spend time reflecting on past events without immediate plans for action. Let each experience find its place as part of a larger timeline, setting up a future that feels prepared.
Layering Memories Like Volcanic Rock
Dormancy allows for layers to build—each one a reminder of past events that strengthens the base. In life, letting memories settle without forcing them helps form a stronger foundation. It’s a period of internal growth, creating a solid base for future steps.
- Reflect on memories regularly, letting them add depth and perspective. Each one becomes a layer, adding to who you are.
- Notice any recurring themes or lessons from the past, letting patterns emerge naturally. Over time, these observations add a solid layer to your understanding.
- View each memory as a formation within you, strengthening the base and creating a lasting perspective.
Observing Patterns in Life’s Cycles
Dormancy allows time to watch patterns in life, noticing shifts and changes. A volcano witnesses the landscape’s rhythm, while in life, this means observing without acting. This phase helps recognize larger cycles, seeing how things move and change without interference.
- Take note of your own life cycles—times when you feel energy rise or fall. Recognize these shifts as natural, part of a larger rhythm.
- Notice how the environment around you changes, in people’s behavior, seasons, or patterns of daily life.
- Use this period to quietly observe patterns, letting these insights shape your approach to action in the future.
2. Simmering Phases: Letting Energy Build Slowly
In a volcano, simmering begins when magma stirs, creating a quiet pressure. Life’s simmering phases are times of anticipation, a build-up that prepares for something new. Here, ideas gather strength, hinting at changes to come.
Allowing Ideas to Gather Shape
During simmering phases, ideas begin to build momentum. This isn’t the time to act, but to let things take form. It’s about experimenting with possibilities, finding new directions, and shaping ideas at their own pace.
- Keep a dedicated notebook for capturing ideas as they arise. Treat this as a collection space for thoughts without any commitment to act immediately.
- Let creative pursuits remain open-ended, experimenting without finalizing anything. Use this phase to play with different ideas or approaches.
- Ask questions and explore possibilities freely, without needing to settle on one path. Treat these explorations as groundwork for the future.
Holding Energy Without Acting
Simmering builds a kind of tension—the anticipation of change. This energy can feel exciting, even intense, but holding it back adds strength. Just as magma builds pressure, this phase creates energy that fuels future action.
- Notice the tension that comes with this phase, using it as a signal that something is coming together. Let this feeling inspire plans and reflections without rushing forward.
- Direct energy into organizing resources, ideas, or skills. For instance, if a new project is on the horizon, prepare materials and clear a space to work, getting ready for when it’s time to start.
- Treat anticipation as preparation, knowing that waiting allows ideas to form fully before release.
Preparing the Ground for Action
This is also a time for setting up small steps to make future actions easier. Like a volcano gathering pressure in preparation for an eruption, taking practical steps now helps clear the way when the time for action arrives.
- Create organized spaces that support work and creativity, clearing away distractions to make future steps simpler.
- Sort and gather resources, skills, or connections that align with your goals, so that when the time comes, you’re ready to act.
- Begin outlining simple steps for what you want to achieve, knowing that you’ll adjust as you move forward.
3. Eruptive Phases: Action Without Holding Back
When a volcano erupts, it changes everything around it. Eruptive phases are periods of intense action, when ideas or plans turn into reality. These are times to commit fully, putting everything into what you’re doing and creating something with impact.
Committing to Action Fully
In an eruption, there’s no turning back. This phase is about putting energy into each step, acting with full focus. Just as a volcano releases everything, in life, these phases mean investing fully in whatever you’re doing.
- Start with the steps you’ve planned in previous phases, giving each one complete attention. Commit to moving forward without second-guessing.
- Take on projects that matter, letting each action reflect what’s meaningful. Whether big or small, let this phase bring something important to life.
- Focus on creating with intensity, making every moment count. This phase isn’t about holding back but pushing forward with purpose.
Leaving a Lasting Impact
An eruption creates new landscapes, shaping the world in lasting ways. In life, this phase is when you create things that have meaning or value. It’s about leaving behind something tangible—ideas, projects, or even personal growth that endures.
- Choose work or projects that create something real, whether it’s a finished piece, a milestone, or a change in perspective.
- Put thought into actions that add to the bigger picture of your life, knowing that each one contributes to a larger purpose.
- Use this phase to create results that others can see, touch, or experience, making your efforts matter beyond just the immediate moment.
Moving Forward with Momentum
As a volcano’s lava reshapes the land, in life, this phase lets momentum carry you forward. Eruptive phases generate energy that makes future progress feel natural and strong. With the groundwork in place, let momentum do the rest.
- Let each action flow into the next, using the energy you’ve built to continue moving forward. Keep up the rhythm without needing to pause and analyze.
- Trust in the foundation from previous phases, using it to fuel further steps. Treat this momentum as the force behind each action.
- Enjoy the pace and progress, letting the experience of moving forward carry you through this phase.
4. Returning to Dormancy: Time to Reset
After each eruption, the volcano returns to dormancy, letting everything settle. This phase allows for rest and reflection, preparing for the next cycle. It’s a time to look back, appreciate what has been accomplished, and regain energy.
Reflecting on Recent Experiences
Reflection lets you see the outcome of recent actions, taking stock of what has been created. This phase gives a chance to evaluate and think about what lies ahead, using the results of your efforts as a guide.
- Take a moment to review what you’ve achieved, noting what worked well and where you might adjust in the future.
- Look at recent actions as steps in a longer path, recognizing how each one contributes to definitive one direction.
- Let yourself appreciate the work you’ve put in, treating this as a chance to acknowledge your efforts.
Recharging for the Next Phase
After an eruptive phase, rest is essential. Returning to quiet allows energy to build again, preparing for the next active period. Treat this as a time to restore, letting everything come back to a calm, strong base.
- Dedicate time for complete rest, stepping back from active work and letting yourself recharge.
- Engage in activities that bring calm, allowing for natural recovery. This could mean simple, quiet pastimes that don’t require focus or effort.
- Treat this time as a necessary part of the cycle, knowing that the energy will build again as you continue forward.
Living like a time-traveling volcano means respecting each phase, moving with intention through cycles of rest, build-up, and action. Each stage has its own place, creating a rhythm that feels steady and aligned.





