Hack Your Strength
Here's how I am learning to be stronger every single day, and a little Thursday motivation. :)
Two short months ago, I was anxious about so many parts of moving to the city. Everything felt overwhelming- from raising Shep in New York, to figuring out the subway system, to wondering how I’d ever find my people here, to even clarity in what I wanted to do.
But slowly I’ve found a rhythm and am starting to feel more aligned than ever.
I owe such a huge thank you already to a few people for letting me hold on to them for dear life during one of the biggest transitions of my personal life. My business coach Alexandra over at Grace Space Christian Coaching, my husband, my therapist, the Lord, sweet friends, and so many more people. Phew, it’s been such a fun challenge to start life anew here.
I recently had my first photography session since moving to the city at the NY Public Library for an old friend’s graduation photos. Normally I’d grab an Uber, which has been my (expensive) crutch since moving here. But that evening, I was determined to take the subway alone. It sounds like such a small thing, but I walked up the subway steps after getting to my last stop and laughed out loud. I was proud! I felt brave. And - to no surprise - I actually enjoyed it.
We can do hard things!
It just takes doing it! And the more times you do, the more confident you get at not just that thing, but in everything else.
And yeah, it’s not that taking the subway is a “hard thing” by any means, but it sure is new and different and sometimes confusing. And if I’m not careful, I can look at what’s new or potentially difficult in my life as something I probably can’t do, when in fact they are the very moments that are going to make me stronger.
I feel the same way with starting business coaching, going back to therapy, joining an agency, saying yes to every invite that comes through my inbox that I can: Do it scared!
Because what’s the alternative? Shrinking back? Staying the same? Ignoring sparks God places in our soul just because it might take a while or feel a little uncomfortable or be hard?
How crazy would we be to not live the fullest and best life because of something as silly as fear or insecurity or negative thinking
Just… no way.
I re-shared a reel last night that brought me to tears. It said:
“There’s someone your age living their last day on earth, wishing they had the time you had.
Do it sad. Do it unmotivated. Do it confused.
Do it scared. Do it tired. Do it alone.
Do it heartbroken. Do it embarrassed.
Do it because you can.”
If you’re struggling with something over and over again that is hindering your life, there’s no question about it: you have to get help to overcome it.
This is all we’ve got.
Who knew today’s Substack would get a little preachy?! Hahaha. Truly, this is just my stream of consciousness- something I’m mostly preaching to myself. I deal with this limiting, truthfully ungodly mindset all the time. And lately, being pushed out of my comfort zone has brought such a surge of confidence and peace. Praising God for his good gifts.
Talk soon! Love y’all!
Mary Catherine