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DOWNWARD FACING DOG
I finally did it! I went to a yoga class - something I have been talking about all year, but just couldn’t seem to get started.
It was not my first yoga class. Just the first one in a very LONG while.
You see, I have a love/hate relationship with yoga. I love it when I’m doing it. I hate getting myself there. Sure, I should just do it myself at home, but that doesn’t work for me. I’ve tried.
I would love to make yoga part of my life - especially as I age. I know how good it is for my body + my mind. But, I keep talking about it + not taking action.
My friend was in town + she invited me to an oceanfront yoga class just a few miles from our place. I’ve seen this class countless times while out running or biking + every time I do, I have a little tug in my heart to look it up + try it out. Of course, I never have.
Until this week. (Thank you Marilyn!)
I mean - who wouldn’t want to do yoga with this view!
This just might become a ‘thing’ for me now.
Last week, we talked about consistency - which is all fine + dandy, but sometimes it’s getting started that is the hardest.
There are a lot of things we don’t start because we make things too complicated.
Even simple things like a yoga class.
So, let’s talk about that for a minute.
VINYASA
Is there something tugging at you to start? Maybe something you’ve always wanted to try or learn? A business or project you’ve wanted to start? A solution you’ve wanted to create? Art you’ve wanted to make? Maybe it’s just something simple like wanting to try a yoga class?
What is keeping you from starting?
Maybe you don’t start because you don’t know where to start? Or because you aren’t sure you want to commit? Or because you might hate it? Or you might look crazy for trying? Or it might mess up something else in your life? Or you just don’t ‘have time’?
I’m guessing that whatever is stopping you has more to do with stuff you are projecting in your mind than what is actually right in front of you in the here + now.
Am I right?
The yoga class is a simple example, but a powerful one. The only reason I put it off was all the things I told myself in my mind. It would be a hassle to drive there. Parking would be terrible. I might not like the class. Blah. Blah. Blah.
Instead, the truth was - it was easy getting there, easy parking + the class was great.
Imagine if I would have just followed my own nudge + gone to that class last year when I was first thinking about it? Think of the progress I would have made by now. Think of the energy I could have saved not having those conversations with myself all year about how ‘You really should get into a yoga practice.’
The same applies to other things - ideas, projects, relationships. You have this great idea to start something, but then, you overthink it + suddenly it’s complicated so you put it off.
We waste a LOT of time him-hawing around at the start of things. We try to outline every step - when all we need is the first step. We try to find the ‘perfect’ start when there is no ‘perfect’.
We miss out on SO much simply because we waste so much time trying to ‘get it right’.
Or maybe that’s just me? (I know it’s not just me because I had this very conversation with someone last week. Right, Marc?)
Starting something is usually a lot easier than we think. We don’t have to know it all. We just have to start. The path unfolds. The next step reveals itself as soon as you get rolling.
CHATURANGA
It was exactly one year ago that I published the first issue of The LIFT. (Yay! Thanks for being here to celebrate!)
Prior to publishing here, I had taken a long break from writing + I was having trouble getting started again. I had all of the excuses. I didn’t know if I had anything relevant to share. I didn’t know this platform well. I didn’t know what it would look like or what purpose it would fulfill.
What I DID know? It was time to start.
So, I went thru the clunky moves of starting. I made the announcement. I wrote the first issue. I collected ideas. I attended a workshop. I made connections with fellow writers. I carved out a time to write. I played with the format. I showed up each week for myself + for you.
And, here we are.
It’s kind of cool to look back through the archives from the year. We have covered a lot of ground + it evolves a bit every week. This issue is very different from the first. That said, it is also very similar.
To be honest, I STILL don’t know what the next step is. But, I know if I go through my writing chaturanga each week + keep breathing + listen closely, the next step will be right there waiting for me.
NAMASTE
My friend Marilyn got me off the dime this week about yoga. So, I am paying it forward + giving YOU that nudge she gave me.
Just start.
Get it done. Try it out. Take a step forward. See what happens. It might be a lot easier than you thought!
Just do the thing that is tugging on your heart or mind. You don’t have to know where it’s going. It doesn’t even have to have a reason why.
Don’t overthink it or complicate it. Let it be the simple next step that it is meant to be. Maybe it will turn into something. Maybe it won’t. What I can absolutely assure you of is that you won’t know until you start.
SAVASANA
I have a couple of friends who lost important people in their lives this past week. These moments remind you that life is short. There is nothing to wait for. There is no wrong step. There is just the here + now + that moment is ever fleeting.
We act like everything is so permanent - when life is anything but permanent.
There will never be a better time to start than right now. And, if you want to know the next step - you’ll have to start to find out.
I’ve been on a kick this week listening to Joe Cocker’s Fire It Up album. This song really sums up this week’s LIFT. Enjoy!
YOUR MISSION:
What is something you’ve been wanting to start? Does something come to mind as you’re reading this? Leave a comment. What’s the hurdle? Maybe we can all break down the obstacles together + find a simple easy way to start.
RESOURCES:
READ: LYRICS to YOUNGER | Joe Cocker
READ: 8 Simple Tips for Getting Started with Something | ThePositivityBlog
READ: How to Get Started (On Anything) | Medium
READ: How You Can Get Started on Anything in 13 Minutes (No, Seriously) | The Muse
READ: How to Actually Start the Task You’ve Been Avoiding | Harvard Business Review
IN SUMMARY:
I just wanted to say - thanks for being here each week! It means a lot! If you ever have a thought to share from reading + don’t want to leave a public comment, don’t hesitate to hit reply + email me back. I love chatting + connecting over ideas.
I also love getting together over coffee (in person or virtual) to share ideas + have meaningful conversations. If that’s something you’d enjoy - you know where to find me! I’ll send you my calendar + we can get it on the books!
See you next week?
Meanwhile - you can read thru the archives here. And, please reach out to me anytime!
Email: karen@becounter.com
Instagram: @redefiningkaren
Facebook: @cleanbeautyadvocate
“We act like everything is so permanent - when life is anything but permanent.”
I needed to read this today and this line specifically. Framing it this way makes starting something less scary for me. Thank you🙏🏽
Congratulations on your One Year!!!!!!🎉🎊🥳🎉🎊
Congratulations on the one year Anniversary of The Lift!