I’m learning to give myself grace when tackling big, overwhelming tasks.
Whether it’s redefining who I am or setting up a new venture, I remind myself that lasting change doesn’t come from rushing through a checklist. It comes from taking intentional steps forward, one at a time.
I’ve been guilty of trying to force progress. But when I rush, I burn out.
I end up hating the journey, and worse, I give up halfway through.
So now, I ask myself: what matters more—finishing the task a little later or abandoning it altogether? The answer feels obvious when I frame it that way.
Mistakes happen, but I’ve stopped punishing myself for them.
Instead, I ask, What went wrong? How can I fix this?
It’s easy to fall into self-pity, but I’ve realized it’s not helpful. Feeling sorry for myself doesn’t solve anything.
Action does.
Choices as micro-lanes
Life offers so many choices, so many paths. I like to think of them as micro-lanes within the bigger roads. Some lanes are faster, some slower.
Sometimes they merge, and other times, they branch off. No matter which lane I’m in, as long as I’m moving forward, I’m not falling behind.
The hardest part is committing to moving forward, especially when it means leaving parts of my past behind, including the friends I made along the way as someone hooked on a boatload of stuff,.
I’ve had to make drastic choices—cutting ties, shifting priorities, and letting go of who I used to be.
At first, it felt like a loss. Now, I see it as necessary.
The cost of my new life is my old one.
And honestly?
It’s worth it. I’m not abandoning the people or habits I’ve left behind.
I’m simply leaving them where they are.
My focus is on the future, on becoming someone I can be proud of.
It’s not always easy, but I’m learning to trust myself.
Progress comes one task at a time.