"I'm Just Gonna Do It Anyway"

As with most people celebrating their birthday, I've found myself in a state of reflection. When preparing to write this post, I asked myself, "What is one decision I made when I turned 30 that I'm glad I made?". Instantly, the first thing that came to mind was the fact that I'm getting out of my own way. Whether it's fear, lack of help, lack of direction at times, or me just not wanting to do it, I do it anyway. The biggest reason I've been in my own way was because of fear, so let's take a closer look at that.

Fear, when left unchecked, is paralyzing. And in plenty of situations, I've been paralyzed for some time now. The thing is, though, I can almost physically feel when I'm outgrowing situations, circumstances, and people. I won't respond to the same ol' same like I used to. Things that were fun are more and more boring. Suddenly things that were once important aren't even on my radar. But while feeling the need for change is uncomfortable, putting foot to pavement and actually making the change is when that discomfort gets real because *gasp* people will SEE what I'm doing! They'll see this new transition I'm making. What if I look stupid? What if I fail? What if I'm not as good as the next person? I've made an unfortunate habit of giving a crap about what anyone other than me thinks about me. Ironically as a teenager, if I felt that twinge of fear, I'd literally say out loud, "Screw it" and do it anyway. I felt the fear but didn't let it stop me from having the experience. I'm proud to say that little by little, I'm gaining that level of boldness back.

This experience has showed me that doing something you're scared to do is so liberating. I think that's why I like rollercoasters. The pit of your stomach fear, the rush of adrenaline, and the exhausted relief of having done it and made it through in tact. Jack Canfield said, "Everything you want is on the other side of fear." Once you make it through something scary, it's suddenly not scary anymore. It's actually kind of funny to me how that happens. Think about something you thought you'd never make it through, and how miniscule it seemed when you finally did it. It served its purpose; to teach you some things and to amp you up for the next thing, more excited than ever because you now have proof that whatever the next thing is that's scaring you, you're going to make it through and be even better than you are now. Doing it anyway is the only way to ensure growth.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some more growing to do.