Do you feel supported by family, friends, co-workers etc.? If not, we must realize that this support will not magically appear on its own. In order to receive this support, we must first support ourselves – unconditionally.
There was a stretch of time when I felt that I didn’t have any true friends... I didn’t want to drink, party all night only to feel like crap the next day, but all my friends at the time did. I wanted to be healthy and fit, but my friends chose Thirsty Thursday over healthier options. Of course, thinking I had NO other options, I followed along and my dreams continued to take the backseat. But here’s the thing, it wasn’t their fault. It was me who wasn’t willing to put myself first. I wasn’t willing to let go of those short-term pleasures. I wasn’t ready to support myself and get out of my own way. It was time to step into my fear and CHOOSE to become the person I truly wanted to be.
So I chose to start supporting myself. I had to find things, even if it meant on my own, that would help me reach my goals and practice saying no to the things that wouldn’t. For me, the most pressing need when I started this journey was my health. I gradually started making the choice to not go out and drink myself into oblivion. And it wasn’t until I did that, that I could start pursuing my fitness goals/career. What’s your most pressing need right now? What would make you feel BETTER? To get more rest, to eat better, exercise more or change your circle of friends? Full honesty… It isn’t easy.
“But if you don’t start choosing to support yourself, you have to get comfortable with the idea that you’re never going to change.”
You must ask yourself if you’re OK waking up in five years and being in the same place. If nothing changes, nothing changes. It’s scary, but you’re the only one who can do it.
“You can either choose complete suppression or face your fear.”
Face that fear TODAY! What are some ways you can support yourself RIGHT now? Is it time-blocking your calendar to fit in 20 minutes of exercise? Is it scheduling dance or music lessons? Is it reaching out to someone to be your mentor? It doesn’t matter how big or small your acts are as long as you’re ACTING. Failure is a given, but if we choose to focus on the blessing rather than each individual failure we’ll fail faster into better success.
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