On your way to stepping into something new that you know is meant for you – It is very likely that at some point you will run into some INTERNAL RESISTANCE and SELF DOUBT.
Let’s say you’re finding yourself at an edge which is exciting in the best way, but also a little scary or ambiguous. It’s a place of deep knowing that moving past it is absolutely FOR YOU. Maybe you are:
Starting life in a new place
Wanting to expand an important project you’ve been planning for awhile
Starting a new job (or ending one)
Leading a new team
Finally creating the thing you know you’re meant to
Whatever it is, you know it’s time to for a next step AND you also are noticing any number of the following types of internal resistance taking hold:
Fear
Doubt
Anxiety
Grief
A strong, critical internal voice that says “no way, that is never gonna happen for you”, “not safe”, “you are so stupid to think this could work.”
Your instinct and wish for these things is TO MAKE THEM GO AWAY, FOREVER.
And so you try and make them disappear, you battle with them, you feel defeated each time they show up again, you spiral downwards.
Sometimes you’re able to assure them its going to be okay, maybe they calm down for a bit and take a step or two forward, but it’s never long before they’re back and you’re fighting them again, feeling stuck, defeated or plain old stalled. They’re really in your way and it’s exhausting.
Should you find yourself in this situation and pattern here’s what I suggest:
Instead of spending your beautiful and precious energy fighting them, being pissed off that they’re back and feeling defeated, ACCEPT THEM.
You don’t have to be best pals or even like them but you can accept them. Acceptance might just be the thing that allows you to move forward. Here’s what that could look and sound like:
I accept that part of me might always think this dream of mine is a terrible idea that is never going to work and I'm still committed to taking the first step.
OR
I accept that I'm really worried about the state of the world right now and I know my work is still important in the midst of it so I will keep going.
OR
Ah you again, I know you think this is risky. I accept how worried you are and there’s another part of me that believes in this new direction so I’m going to pursue it. I’ll move slowly and put things in place to ensure I’m taken care of.
Do you feel the relief in these statements!? They’re honest, they don’t bypass real emotion, they honor what is and take you from stalled and afraid towards openness, possibility, movement and hope.
From a place of acceptance, so much more is possible - you’re free to try, to create, to do the things that are meant for you while honoring reality.
And, I believe that it’s really important that you do those things you’re being pulled towards. Here’s to acceptance and what’s on the other side of your edge.