Ever feel that everything is just one big negative? It’s one hardship after another? No option looks good? You feel paralyzed to make a move because it is all so anxiety-provoking? The lens you’re looking through makes everything seem grim and bleak.
If you were to stand at the bottom of a mountain and look up, you’d of course say, “I can’t climb that.” And then every possible catastrophe would come to mind: “I’ll fall, I’ll die, the rocks will come crashing down, I’ll get sick during the climb, I’ll lose my balance and fall over the edge, I’ll run into a snake or a bear.”
Focusing on getting to the top seems daunting and impossible. You’ve put every possible blockade in place. You can’t possibly start out on this journey of catastrophe. You’re paralyzed.
Such is life and it’s oftentimes seemingly impossible tasks that lie ahead. We become immobilized by all that’s required to get to the end result. We remain at the bottom of the mountain crouching down in fear and anxiety waiting for the avalanche to come tumbling down.
Perhaps it’s better not to focus on the size of the mountain; it’s too overwhelming and scary. It’s better to limit our view to what’s right in front of us – our own feet- and start stepping.
When we begin to take a step, we find ourselves moving forward and upward. The boulders that seemed impassable are now big rocks that can be gotten through by climbing this way and that.
How do we de-paralyze ourselves and begin to do what we need to do in order to get where we want to go?
You’re feeling a bit lighter? When we start taking action towards tackling that difficult situation, the tension starts to give a little. The doing releases some of that pent-up horrific anxiety.
Easier said than done. But you can start some self-talk dialogue where your healthier voice begins to hammer them down back into their hole.
Thanks for stopping by. What’s the first step you’re going to take towards your plan of action?
“Break down the situation into small tasks. Tackle the first one without looking out into the whole big picture.”
Great advice! This is really the only way I ever get any major projects done. My husband used to tease me about all my baby steps but then saw how well it works for me.
Hi Christy,
Glad to know that baby steps work for you. Otherwise we get overwhelmed and end up doing nothing. Thanks for sharing. I’m glad this rang true for you.
What a wonderful message. It reminds me of how Courtney Carver always says, “The work quiets fear.” Keep moving forward and those challenges aren’t nearly as scary. I have to keep this in mind as I pursue my career as a writer. New, scary territory!
Hi Kayla,
Thanks for sharing. Yes, stepping into our task at hand begins to lessen all those scary thoughts and feelings. We’re pushing them away by acting in opposition to their negative messages. Ruminating in our head only fuels the flames of fear and doubt.
And you will dance your new steps as you embark on your new career path.
Best to you.
Have been going through a tough time recently. This fits with my small (baby) steps forward today. Thanks for the inspiration!
Hi Suzanne,
Sorry for your tough time. Glad you’re taking those baby steps forward. Thanks for sharing.