“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”
(Zora Neale Hurston)
A quiet reflection
There’s something gentle in this Zora Neale Hurston quote about life questions.
Not all years are the same.
Some feel like they’re opening things up.
Inviting curiosity.
Bringing uncertainty.
Asking something of us, even if we can’t quite name what.
And other times, there’s more of a sense of settling.
Things begin to make sense.
Answers appear.
Or something that once felt unclear starts to look obvious.
It can be easy, especially in uncertain moments, to want to move quickly toward answers.
To try to resolve things.
To figure everything out.
But perhaps some periods of life aren’t meant to be answered straight away.
Perhaps they’re simply there to be lived in.
To be explored.
To be noticed.
A coaching reflection
In coaching conversations, I sometimes notice how much relief comes when someone realises they don’t need to rush to an answer.
That not knowing isn’t a problem to fix.
Just part of the process.
Because often, the questions themselves are doing something.
Gently shaping new understanding.
Pointing toward something that hasn’t fully formed yet.
And in time, what once felt like a question can begin to answer itself.
Not through effort.
But through seeing something new.
Questions for coaches
If you’re a coach, you might enjoy reflecting on a few of these:
What kind of year does this feel like for you?
What question might be quietly forming?
Where might you be trying to find answers too quickly?
What changes when you allow a question to remain open for a while?
No need to answer them all. Sometimes one question is enough.
A quiet thought
Not every question needs answering straight away.
Some are simply part of the unfolding.
About Jen Waller
Jen Waller is a transformative coach who works with thoughtful professionals and coaches who want a quieter, more honest way forward.
Her work creates space for reflection and insight, helping people reconnect with their own clarity, wisdom, and direction – often by allowing questions to unfold rather than rushing toward answers.
If you’re curious to explore this more deeply, you might enjoy Rediscovering the Joy of Being You, a gentle, shared exploration of what becomes possible when there’s nothing to fix and nowhere to rush. You can also explore Jen’s individual offers here.