You're taking a big leap of faith and putting yourself out there. And the unknown awaits. Before the event itself has even begun you feel yourself starting to plan for the worst-case scenario. What will I do if it doesn't work out? What's my back-up plan?
There's nothing wrong with some healthy preparedness. But at what point does planning become obsessive, fear-inducing, and just plain draining?
I'd realized I wasn't happy in my current situation and needed to make a big change. Ugh. There's never a convenient time for those kind of moments of clarity. I'd attempted to avoid this realization for a while by staying busy, yet my inner voice was relentless and only became louder as I felt more exhausted. Eventually, the message was undeniable. Oh my god, what are you doing with your life? This is not sustainable. You need to get out.
It’s easy to halt dreaming out of fear of getting “ahead of yourself,” jinxing things, or feeling extra hurt if they don’t work out as planned. You can trick yourself into thinking think that if you’re not invested, you'll care less about how things unfold.
Yet the more you can move past the fears and what-if’s and lean into the goodness of your experience in any moment, the more likely you are to attract positive things into your life.
It’s okay to feel everything you're feeling. It’s okay if none of it makes sense. It’s okay if you don’t feel like yourself. It’s okay if you start crying in line at the grocery store. It’s okay if you feel angry. It’s okay if you feel a bit of everything, or nothing at all. Let your feelings — whatever they are — be okay.
Growing up, my dad told me that people are only able to be “as happy as they can stand to be.” I remember noticing that people naturally varied in their capacity to take in the good around them. At the same time, this ability can be learned ― and stretched. This is great news, because it means that anyone has the ability to become more joyful, grateful, expansive versions of themselves…should they choose to do so. Fast forward decades later, and my coach taught me about the power of checking in with yourself and asking, “how good can I stand it?"
Planning and creating my first workshop was an adrenaline-filled process, and ultimately one of my greatest personal and professional successes to date. Yes, the workshop went smoothly, but beyond that I was reminded of what happens when you 1) step out of your comfort zone, 2) do the thing that scares you, and 3) remember to get out of your own way.
Slowing down is crucial to make sure you’re moving in the right direction, and creating a life that you actually want to be a part of every day.
Otherwise, you might go go go in a single direction for years, only to wake up one day and wonder, “How did I even get here? Is this what I really want? Do I like my life? Am I happy?"
Are you pressed for time? Totally overwhelmed by your never-ending to-do list and unable to recharge? Perhaps it feels impossible to take time for yourself — to enjoy your life, and actually squeeze in some fun and adventure. If this resonates with you — and you feel like you’re too wiped to carry on as you have been — I’m going to suggest something that might feel counter-intuitive at first.
