Why Starting Is the Hardest Part

You can. You just have to stop telling yourself otherwise.

I’ve been traveling for a better part of the last three weeks. I went from Oregon to Colorado and California, then back to New York and finally over to Cabo. It’s been fulfilling and exciting to be on the move again, but with changes in location come some sacrifices in routine. Also: All the food (and drinks). Cue piña coladas, breakfast pastries, fun dinners out, airport pickings, copious amounts of vino … you get the picture. When I arrived back in New York on Monday night, I was more than ready to get back my usual schtick. 

I was a little hesitant, though, TBH.

Did I know that moving my body and getting back into my ~usual~ eating patterns would make me feel better? For sure. I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that feeling like I’m “starting over” can definitely be a little intimidating. Sure, it was only a few weeks. But, I felt like a blob. I felt like I was back at square one. Sometimes, being in that place makes starting fresh feel scary — or downright impossible. 

The good news? No matter what you’ve been through on your journey, you can choose to start fresh right now. The secret: Remove the judgement. Stop overthinking. Stop telling yourself things “should” be one way or another. Meet yourself where you’re at. Oftentimes that first step can be the hardest. But once you make it? I’m not gonna tell you there won’t be hurdles along the way, but you’ve already conquered the toughest one.

Come Wednesday morning, I laced up. Got out. Ran. Didn’t look at my watch. I saw friends crossing the Manhattan Bridge. We cheered for one-another. When I crossed the 5-mile mark, I was proud of me for beginning again. 

Remember: We’re in charge of our story. Stop making excuses for picking up your own damn pen and write yours starting right now.

PROMPT: What have you been putting off starting? What can you take action on next week?