Because sometimes it just all effing sucks.
You are moving.
You are growing.
I know that sometimes it doesn’t feel like it.
But you are.
You don’t notice because that’s the way of the world.
We’re taught to focus on all the things we’re not doing.
We’re taught to concentrate on all that we’re not good at.
It’s not your fault.
That was how school worked.
Focus and work harder on the things you struggle with.
We’ve all taken that pattern with us unto adulthood.
I know it gets you down.
I know how hard your heart aches for your potential.
It aches because it’s there.
It’s meant to be.
That’s why you feel it so strong.
And it’s frustrating.
Feeling like you’re moving so slowly.
With it always just out of reach.
Demons from your past clinging onto you.
Pulling you back into the heavy swamps you’re trying to get out of.
Bringing you down.
Feeling like you’re never enough.
Like you want to give up.
And the way to get through this?
Keep things.
Things from your past.
Things that you wrote.
So you can see.
Your dreams are coming true.
It may not be overnight.
But you’re working.
At a pace that suits you.
That suits your nervous system.
And at a pace that is embedding it in.
For good.
So that when you’re there.
You feel like you earned it.
There is no fluke.
No overnight success.
Its part of your journey.
And you’re on your way.
I know it feels hard at times.
But it’s ok.
You’re not on your own.
You have got this.
You just need to document your journey.
So you can see that you are moving.
And you are growing.
And everything is exactly how it’s meant to be.
So stop looking at the things you lack.
Look at where you’ve come from.
And what you’ve brought with you.
Skills. Lessons. Momentum.
And notice what you’ve left behind.
Beliefs, habits, behaviours.
The emotional baggage that weighed you down and slowed your progress.
You are moving and you are growing and you have so got this my love.
Every time that it feels tough and the world feels like it’s been working against you, come back to this message because it’s for you.
Side note:
I wrote this because I was having a little sort and declutter of my office last week and found my old business plan.
Now, I am not a planner – I hate feeling constrained by too much in my diary, schedules that leave no room for creativity and flow, and even setting goals with times and shit on them make me feel constricted like there’s no room to breathe.
I no longer try to fit myself into that box that clearly isn’t marked for me and believe it or not, it works for me. Despite everything ‘they say’ and despite all the ‘rules’ and ‘ways things are done’, just going with my flow works for me and it’s been since doing ‘me’ and my way, that business has just clicked fully for me.
As I picked up my business plan, I had the sole intention of chucking it straight into the recycling. I opened it to have a quick look and at the front of it, was a short proposal, an intention I guess.
And all of it has come true.
Even the bits that didn’t fit me, I did them and corrected course as I got to know myself, what worked for me and whatI enjoyed the most. So I wrote this in case someone needed to hear it. Because sometimes it really does feel like you’re moving so slowly but seeing this has shown me I am moving and I’ve achieved everything I wanted.
Written sometime in 2010, maybe 2011, I have spent the last 8 or 9 years doing exactly what I intended, trying things out, learning about myself, trying on new hats, learning even more about myself and finally nailing what it is I’m about and how I help people.
Sometimes we miss how far we’ve come so I just wanted to let you know, you’re on track, there are bumps in the road, and even if you take a detour, have a little break or lose faith in yourself every now and then, it’s ok and you’ve got this.
p.s. if this resonated with you and you want support working through this, Professional Rebel’s Courage and Confidence Crew is just what you need!
A community for unconventional, creative and rebellious women who want to develop the courage and confidence to live life unedited – find out more here!
Love this Marie-Claire, something I struggle with most days! So debilitating and you’re right, not helpful at all to just focus on what you’ve not done or what you need to do better.
I love this It really resonated with me. I look back at how far I have come and am proud. My path has veered from where I thought I was heading and hugely different from where I started. I never had a plan well not.since school and planning to go to university.. which never happened. Yet here I am, despite all the challenges and bumps and diversions, holding down a good job in corporate world, part of a diverse network actively promoting and encouraging diversity,.owning my own home, financially self sufficient and in a long-term relationship with my fiance, a toyboy at that. As I near my half century I’m excited for the next whatever it may bring.
Wow Marie-Claire, such touching and amazing words. So very true and I really relate. I have to remind myself about all the things you have said, especially when I’m giving myself a hard time. Thank you for reinforcing a truth and reality of life that is all too often overlooked. It’s lovely to see and feel your words.