A big change can feel daunting but getting over that first step can be incredibly empowering. I’ve experienced this so many times, and yet each time I’m reminded after that first step is taken.
For nearly a decade, my husband and I have put off a significant home renovation project. Our sunroom has been leaking for years, and instead of addressing it, we let it become a constant source of anxiety. I knew the project needed attention, but I avoided it, just as many of us avoid challenges that feel overwhelming. The weight of that avoidance just continued to build the longer I let it go on.
Eventually, I reached a breaking point. I asked my husband to dedicate just one hour to removing some trim boards from the sunroom so we could see what was really going on underneath. That small commitment turned out to be transformative. As we pried off the boards, I felt the weight of my anxiety begin to lift. I realized that the fear of the unknown had been far worse than the reality of the task itself. That moment reminded me how even the smallest step forward can bring immense relief and motivation.
After we removed those boards, I felt a surge of optimism. The project no longer seemed impossible, and the mental space it freed up left me feeling lighter and more creative.
Journal Prompts
- What keeps you from taking that first step?
- What sort of small steps could you take towards your “project”?
- Imagine how it would feel to have done whatever it is that you’re dreading
- What’s the worst possible outcome?
- What’s the best possible outcome?