Betting on yourself is a scary thing.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re transitioning in your career, making impactful decisions about your family, or advocating for yourself. Doing something counter to the norm set by society and your own path is absolutely scary. There are so many factors that play a role in pivoting, right? As moms, we try our best to plan for the variables, to anticipate the audibles thrown our way.
And in the midst of all this? We can lose ourselves. I know, I know. We are expected to be everything…for everyone. But so often, there isn’t enough left in our tank to be everything for ourselves. We come last.
I don’t know about you, but I want my children to know that their mama was a person outside of motherhood, too. I am more than a four-letter word, but in trying to accomplish this mission in a tangible way, I had to do the scary thing.
For me, the scary thing was taking this story—which had rooted inside my head—and putting the words onto paper. It sounds simple, but it was absolutely terrifying. So many voices were in my ear, whispering doubts and placing imposter syndrome between the chapters. How could I have the audacity to even begin to imagine that my words were worthy of being read? How dare I dream to inspire, to invoke emotions?
I had to keep pushing and keep trudging until I reached the finish line. It wasn’t easy; many nights were spent crying, full of thoughts about quitting being the better option. Hear me when I say, quitting is the easier option but it isn’t always the best option.
Your scary thing could be running a race. Speaking your mind. Moving. Applying for the impossible. Going back to school. Simply getting up the next day.
Whatever it is, I want to encourage you to do it. Bet on yourself. The only way you fail is to not even begin. Scary doesn’t stand a chance against you.
I’m here, rooting for you.
You got this, Mama.
