I’m stuck.
I’ve been trying to write my first blog post for a while now, but keep finding myself worrying about what my first post should be about, and feeling like it has to be just right. I finally realized that this was actually a perfect theme to explore– both to cure my writers’ block and and set an intention for the year.
Raise your hand if you often have trouble starting things. How many of you set a New Year’s resolution and haven’t gotten around to doing anything about it yet? All talk and no walk?
Yup. You are not alone. We often feel like we “just don’t know how to get started,” or “it’s just not the right time.” There are a million reasons why we put things off. Whether it’s a new diet or exercise routine, taking that first yoga class, or putting pen to paper, we wait for that perfect moment. But if we let ourselves listen to these reasons and excuses we never actually start.
We are often held back by fear– fear that we wont be good at something, or that we will mess up, or even the fear that we will just plain fail.
I urge you in 2013 to simply resolve to start things.
I have tons of ideas for blogs that I want to write, but for some reason I got stuck waiting for the perfect topic as a starting point.
But there is no such thing as the perfect first blog post, just like there is no such thing as the perfect starting point. I just needed to sit down and write.
When you look back, the way in which you started won’t matter, but what comes after will. Life isn’t so much about the beginnings and endings, it’s about everything that comes in between: the journey and what we discover along the way.
So don’t put off that yoga class because you need to buy a cute outfit first, or wait to make those changes to your diet because you are going on vacation next week. Changes don’t have to be perfect right off the bat.
Even if you aren’t able to overhaul your life or change everything overnight, start small. Eat that salad today, even if you have a burger tomorrow. Small changes and steps add up and begin to change how you view things and how you want to live.
You are allowed to make mistakes along the way. Maybe you do eat that cheeseburger at the airport because you are starving. Who cares? Tomorrow is another day to try and get it right, but if you don’t set the intention or make the commitment, it will never happen.
Don’t worry about doing something better later– do it now, mistakes and all. We are human and can’t do everything perfectly.
If perfection isn’t our goal, we can’t fear the mistakes.
The only way to get things done, or to make changes is to do simply that– no grand announcement necessary. Take one small step today and see what tomorrow brings.
This isn’t to say we shouldn’t commit to things or that we should approach change casually, but waiting for that perfect launching time might prevent us from doing anything at all.
Plus, changing or adding something to your life isn’t usually a one-time event. You are making a life, or lifestyle change, which is much easier to do if you don’t expect perfection, acknowledge that mistakes will be made, and know that the journey might be slow-going.
Give yourself permission to make those mistakes before-hand. Just go for it, and see what happens.
If you want it enough, you will find success.
Is this the perfect “welcome to my blog” post I was hoping for? No. But I’m human too and realized that I just needed to write something to get past that barrier of fear and go. I’m making the commitment and giving myself permission to make mistakes (or even typos- eek!).
I’m learning and trying just like you- I won’t be perfect but let’s just jump in and start our journeys together. Join me, won’t you?
If you get stuck, come back to this moment and remember how you took that first step, and just take another. Change will take time.
Whatever you want to change this year– eating better, making time in your day for yourself, or anything else you are working on– take a minute and just commit to start. Right now. And begin your journey.
The first step is the hardest. I think it just gets easier from here. Let’s find out, shall we?
What will you start this week?
xo Kate
