On the 27th of January, this blog celebrated its first birthday. In the crazy haze that was January, it was nice to see the little notification popping up to remind me that 365 days had passed since I started talking to you guys. In the very beginning, I knew very little about blogging, (and I am sure some would argue I still don’t!) I didn’t have a “brand” or a “message.” All I really had was a desire to reach out to people. I wanted to try to give people the type of advice, I wish I could give my younger self.
You see, I am not a health guru, or an expert of any kind. All I really am is a girl, who has made a lot of mistakes, but who has tried to learn from each one of them. One year ago, I knew I had a lot to say, but I had no idea how to go about it. Somehow, amongst the anxiety and impostor syndrome, I managed to hear a small voice say “just start!” So I did. Not knowing where it would lead, and not even daring to hope it might come to anything, I sat and put pen to paper for the first time.
In the last year, between the blog and the YouTube site, I have put out almost 100 posts. I never could have imagined starting out that this could be possible. It has made me think about just how many other things in life are like this. It has reminded me how all great journeys begin with a single step.
If you have a goal in life, whether it is fitness related, career related or even family related, the best advice I can give you, is just start. Even if you are unsure of what the first step should be, just try something. If it turns out to be the wrong thing, at least you have ruled it out as an option, and you will be closer to finding the right thing. So often in life, we succumb to paralysis by analysis. Constantly weighing up options and wringing our hands, but never actually doing anything about it.
I mentioned in a previous post, that we have been getting some work done in the house recently. Nothing too major, just some decorating and minor repairs. This has caused me huge turmoil. I spent months, if not years, trying to figure out which order to do the jobs in. Would it be better to get the shower in the en suite fixed before or after re-flooring the bedroom? Should we start the painting in the kitchen or the living room? I drove myself crazy trying to come up with the optimal plan, and meanwhile, nothing got done.
Eventually, when I began realising how pointless this all was, I decided to just do something, ANYTHING!! I told myself to just start. If it turns out to be a mistake painting the walls before putting down the floors, oh well. At least I will have learned something.
I can’t tell you how many times over the last year I have questioned myself. I have wondered if I am good enough. I have fretted about whether or not I can make a difference to people. I have told myself that nobody is interested in what I have to say and just to give up. Without fail, in these moments of doubt, the universe has reached out to me. Either through the encouragement of a friend, or the kind words from a stranger. In just such a moment, I came across Neil Gaiman’s commencement speech
Neil is a fantastic author and orator, and his advice is, that when we face these times of darkness and despair, we should “make good art.” This spoke to me on so many levels, but at the most fundamental level it told me to keep going. It said to me, you have taken the first step, and the hardest, so just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Even if you don’t know where your destination is, move forward, and be confident that you will recognise it when you get there.
I truly believe that in life, any meaningful change brings with it a certain amount of pain. Whether you are trying to get promoted in work, or drop a dress size for your wedding, there will be times when you will wonder if it is really worth it. When motivation abandons you, let momentum take over. Just keep going and you will eventually get there. Sometimes it is only in looking back, that we appreciate how far we have come. Be well xxx
