Oh yeeeees I'm so with you on the "sometimes you just got to take the plunge because it will be hard no matter what! Have had this experience so many times and it's TIRING especially when we sometimes are in positions where we can't necessarily do anything right away but still it keeps hanging so then making up our mind mentally still becomes a big release. Love that you went to the event! how fun!! Well done!! What was the biggest takeaway other than realising that you have lots of value to offer?
yessss! so well said and youy're right, sometimes we just have to be patient, and the only "move" we can do is mentally shifting our perspective. hahah as always the comments and exchange help to find other puzzle pieces that may have not gotten enough attention when writing.
The event taught me lots of things.
From showing up and not hiding, to being reminded, numbers, having a name somewhere etc doesn't matter it's all people trying to figure things out and exchange is so valuable because there's no right or wrong.
I also told Farrah to check out your Substack and reflections on your journey and how clever I thought your survey was :D My other takeway was, that while Substack is heavily invested in France, Germany and other non-English speaking regions, Substack as a tool isn't there yet. Maybe I'm in the "wrong" langauge bubbles but i doubt our approach with Notes would work the same way in other languages, also, we cannot filter and find people based on language and region...Given my background in sofware and going into new markets, I have lots of opinions haha
Yes I know this ‘creative freeze’ too. And I’ve realised that we are here to express ourselves in the moment. That is the alchemy of life. Knowing at any moment we can change. Who knows who needs to receive our precious words just as they are, imperfections too… it is not for us to decide!
I think there’s too much pressure to have everything neatly tied in a box… if we are immersed in our aliveness, boxes aren’t even a consideration!
Such a beautiful message! I agree with you. I have often been putting off making decisions or starting something just because of overthinking the possibilities. Sometimes just take that first step helps. Thank you for this reminder :)
I didn't know about Substack meetups in Germany. I'll keep an eye for the next one.
Great to connect Reema! Where are you based? I think Substack just invited those who lived in Munich but other readers also sometimes host them. Check out Kristina God on substack who’s also German and many other German speakers / residents are in her reader community
Loved reading this post. I’m currently between jobs and the stagnation is very real. It’s been really heartwarming to know that I’m not the only one that is finding it hard to rip the bandaid off and move forward (also a pile of half written Substack posts!). Maybe we can metaphorically hold hands as we jump in together. Thank you
I really appreciate you highlighting the differences between taking a break and giving in to stagnation. We must take breaks and tend to ourselves. But we can’t use that as an excuse to avoid 🤍🤍🤍
The longer I wait to sit down and write my essays for this newsletter here, the harder it gets to go through with them, and the worse I think they are.
BTW, I love the inhale-exhale gif at the end!! I sat there doing it 3 times. :)
yessss you have no idea how much I was overthinking this one before I scheduled it..hitting send felt too radical 😂 I debated until the very end wether I should leave my 2 examples in or not for the sake of shortening the piece but also not just talking but sharing own struggles.
The gift I made for a post on the importance of breath a few months ago and because I love watching the circle, I had to add it back in with the hopes others enjoy this stuff too 🫢
I love the analogy of getting into the water Carmen. Who hasn’t done that bit where its agonsing rather than just taking the plunge. I recognise my own traits here, but I am getting better. Done is better than perfect and sometimes I’ll just start writing anything and that’s enough to get me going.
This is a must-read for anyone who finds themselves getting stuck overthinking things. It's a great call to action to just jump in and start doing! Thanks, Carmen!
I love your honesty about avoiding decisions! We've all been there, stuck overthinking things. The image of getting stuck on the rocks by the water is spot-on. But thanks for the reminder that taking action, even with some uncertainty, builds confidence and gets things moving. I especially liked the point that "waiting longer doesn't make us wiser, only more knowledgeable." This is a great nudge to embrace the messiness of starting and learning as we go!
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Falak! And yes, it’s important to me to share where I’m at and that I’m also going through the sh*t of life. It’s so easy to think others have their life together… I rather write from a place of authenticity. We’re all in this together! And I think that’s quite freeing and refreshing to realise don’t you think?
The image shows the jump into cold water… where the analogy started
With you in taking the plunge! I’m publishing my podcast trailer this week after umming and ahhing over some aspects of it. Then I realised I was procrastinating and it helped to just get the finishing bits and bobs done today.
Life is full of learning - it's not about making right or wrong decisions. Yesss I’m so in agreement with this, and that there is no “right” or “wrong.” With any and every step you take, you are learning, growing and evolving!
Yay so glad you found your way here Rachel! Always a great reminder that others have similar thoughts to ours and that were actually not alone, right?. X
I love that, looking at life at a more high-level. I constantly tell myself "is it true that publishing this will end in disaster, or is my mind telling stories?" or "Will this feel like a big deal five years later?" I remember thinking about launching a Substack for almost a year before I made the leap, ha!
Oh gosh the stories in our head… I’m totally with you on these experiences. For me it’s the fact I’ve been wanting to share sound bath recordings on my substack for a year now and I still haven’t started… apart from technical stuff also stories that hold me back
Thanks for this much-needed reminder to just jump, Luisa. I think I am slowly emerging from winter and, while it’s nice to ease and stretch and let things unfold, I realize how much I am actually craving forward motion and the energy of spring and summer. I need to move and be active. So, there is a deep part of me that realizes that I need to stop waiting on nature and listen to my own energy - and just jump. 🌊
Oh, and yes to the travel posts/letters! I’m so here for that! ❤️
Ohh so glad my words resonate and I would assume that in Sweden winter is longer so by the time spring has finally arrived, you must be so excited (given you’re not from there originally). While nature can guide us season and energy wise, I’d always argue our inner clock is equally wise
Thank you for the positive feedback re travel stories 💕
This post really spoke to me. Sometimes the indecision I feel can either be an act of self sabotage or just a fear of moving forward. I completely agree with you, the only way to get past it is to take the plunge. I also wonder whether it is a lack of self worth, do we feel deserving enough to be a writer, or researcher or to have this kind of life the action will take us too? And if we don’t feel deserving it prevents the forward movement.
At the moment I’m avoiding doing some analysis on my research because I fear not being ‘good’ at it, but I love it and a new research position is calling me. I know all I can do is jump, practice and learn. I have a new mantra which I’ll be using from tomorrow which is to look on the mirror and say, ‘just get on with it and stop messing about’ 😂 I’m finding many people are in this spot at the moment. I wonder if somethings in the air and we all just need to jump together?x
So glad my words resonated, Anna. I’m not sure what’s underneath the stagnation, maybe a lot of individual stuff ranging from fear of the unknown, to questioning ourselves and the world, and the skills we may or may not have…
I’ve been observing the same, a stagnation and similar feelings across different people. Maybe the shift from winter to spring, and the movement we need is like spring cleaning and some liver support fitting for the season.
You could also remind yourself with the research and new position that you don’t need to be perfect, and you don’t need to have it all figured out. You’re literally there to connect the dots and bring to the surface new things - what research is all about. ❤️
Thank you for sharing this note, Carmen, and thanks for a wonderful post.
Life, generally, doesn't get easier. 10 years from now, things will be more expensive, we'll be older and less strong, politics will be more polarized, machines could have taken more jobs, etc.
There's nothing to be gained by delaying decisions that need to be made; no point in waiting to do what won't feel more interesting later anyway. Mistakes made in action are easily corrected with more action.
Whoever isn't doing isn't learning. Things are always hard, but they're harder for those waiting for them to get easier. We can think all we want, but the truth is that some things can only be known by doing.
Life always moves on, and it leaves those who aren't in it behind, and those waiting for the perfect moment to just simply aren't in it.
Oh yeeeees I'm so with you on the "sometimes you just got to take the plunge because it will be hard no matter what! Have had this experience so many times and it's TIRING especially when we sometimes are in positions where we can't necessarily do anything right away but still it keeps hanging so then making up our mind mentally still becomes a big release. Love that you went to the event! how fun!! Well done!! What was the biggest takeaway other than realising that you have lots of value to offer?
xx
yessss! so well said and youy're right, sometimes we just have to be patient, and the only "move" we can do is mentally shifting our perspective. hahah as always the comments and exchange help to find other puzzle pieces that may have not gotten enough attention when writing.
The event taught me lots of things.
From showing up and not hiding, to being reminded, numbers, having a name somewhere etc doesn't matter it's all people trying to figure things out and exchange is so valuable because there's no right or wrong.
I also told Farrah to check out your Substack and reflections on your journey and how clever I thought your survey was :D My other takeway was, that while Substack is heavily invested in France, Germany and other non-English speaking regions, Substack as a tool isn't there yet. Maybe I'm in the "wrong" langauge bubbles but i doubt our approach with Notes would work the same way in other languages, also, we cannot filter and find people based on language and region...Given my background in sofware and going into new markets, I have lots of opinions haha
Yes I know this ‘creative freeze’ too. And I’ve realised that we are here to express ourselves in the moment. That is the alchemy of life. Knowing at any moment we can change. Who knows who needs to receive our precious words just as they are, imperfections too… it is not for us to decide!
I think there’s too much pressure to have everything neatly tied in a box… if we are immersed in our aliveness, boxes aren’t even a consideration!
What wonderful words you have found, Lisa! This got me particularly: “If we are immersed in our aliveness, boxes aren’t even a consideration!“
Grateful to have you. X
Such a beautiful message! I agree with you. I have often been putting off making decisions or starting something just because of overthinking the possibilities. Sometimes just take that first step helps. Thank you for this reminder :)
I didn't know about Substack meetups in Germany. I'll keep an eye for the next one.
Great to connect Reema! Where are you based? I think Substack just invited those who lived in Munich but other readers also sometimes host them. Check out Kristina God on substack who’s also German and many other German speakers / residents are in her reader community
And yess let’s be brave and get started 💪
I am based in Heilbronn which close to Stuttgart. Oh that's nice to know!
Loved reading this post. I’m currently between jobs and the stagnation is very real. It’s been really heartwarming to know that I’m not the only one that is finding it hard to rip the bandaid off and move forward (also a pile of half written Substack posts!). Maybe we can metaphorically hold hands as we jump in together. Thank you
Yess 🙌 and we can also jump higher by holding hands. Love the analogy! Go post the substack post - the stagnation is really not serving us.
I really appreciate you highlighting the differences between taking a break and giving in to stagnation. We must take breaks and tend to ourselves. But we can’t use that as an excuse to avoid 🤍🤍🤍
Yesss totally. I write about resting all the time so I figured intake about other things for once 😅
Find stillness as we move. True rest is when we're at ease even in activity. Freedom and peace from mind to all. ❤️
What wise words Paolo! Thank you for reflecting back and sharing what touched you most 🥰
The longer I wait to sit down and write my essays for this newsletter here, the harder it gets to go through with them, and the worse I think they are.
BTW, I love the inhale-exhale gif at the end!! I sat there doing it 3 times. :)
yessss you have no idea how much I was overthinking this one before I scheduled it..hitting send felt too radical 😂 I debated until the very end wether I should leave my 2 examples in or not for the sake of shortening the piece but also not just talking but sharing own struggles.
The gift I made for a post on the importance of breath a few months ago and because I love watching the circle, I had to add it back in with the hopes others enjoy this stuff too 🫢
I love the analogy of getting into the water Carmen. Who hasn’t done that bit where its agonsing rather than just taking the plunge. I recognise my own traits here, but I am getting better. Done is better than perfect and sometimes I’ll just start writing anything and that’s enough to get me going.
Yesss done is better than perfect ✨- trying to remind myself daily (I have a tendency to perfectionism 🙄) thank you for reading Louise!
This is gold. Will be returning here often
You’re welcome any time Paolo! Great to have you and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! 🙌
This is a must-read for anyone who finds themselves getting stuck overthinking things. It's a great call to action to just jump in and start doing! Thanks, Carmen!
Ahh, thank you so much for your kind words Mo!
What an honour to connect with so many wonderful people like you through my words.
Yes let’s be bold and brave! 💪
I love your honesty about avoiding decisions! We've all been there, stuck overthinking things. The image of getting stuck on the rocks by the water is spot-on. But thanks for the reminder that taking action, even with some uncertainty, builds confidence and gets things moving. I especially liked the point that "waiting longer doesn't make us wiser, only more knowledgeable." This is a great nudge to embrace the messiness of starting and learning as we go!
Thank you for taking the time to comment, Falak! And yes, it’s important to me to share where I’m at and that I’m also going through the sh*t of life. It’s so easy to think others have their life together… I rather write from a place of authenticity. We’re all in this together! And I think that’s quite freeing and refreshing to realise don’t you think?
The image shows the jump into cold water… where the analogy started
With you in taking the plunge! I’m publishing my podcast trailer this week after umming and ahhing over some aspects of it. Then I realised I was procrastinating and it helped to just get the finishing bits and bobs done today.
And you really do have so much to offer 💛
Oh I can’t wait for that to go live Sarah! And thank you for your encouraging words, as always! Xx
Life is full of learning - it's not about making right or wrong decisions. Yesss I’m so in agreement with this, and that there is no “right” or “wrong.” With any and every step you take, you are learning, growing and evolving!
Yay so glad you found your way here Rachel! Always a great reminder that others have similar thoughts to ours and that were actually not alone, right?. X
I love that, looking at life at a more high-level. I constantly tell myself "is it true that publishing this will end in disaster, or is my mind telling stories?" or "Will this feel like a big deal five years later?" I remember thinking about launching a Substack for almost a year before I made the leap, ha!
Oh gosh the stories in our head… I’m totally with you on these experiences. For me it’s the fact I’ve been wanting to share sound bath recordings on my substack for a year now and I still haven’t started… apart from technical stuff also stories that hold me back
Thanks for this much-needed reminder to just jump, Luisa. I think I am slowly emerging from winter and, while it’s nice to ease and stretch and let things unfold, I realize how much I am actually craving forward motion and the energy of spring and summer. I need to move and be active. So, there is a deep part of me that realizes that I need to stop waiting on nature and listen to my own energy - and just jump. 🌊
Oh, and yes to the travel posts/letters! I’m so here for that! ❤️
Ohh so glad my words resonate and I would assume that in Sweden winter is longer so by the time spring has finally arrived, you must be so excited (given you’re not from there originally). While nature can guide us season and energy wise, I’d always argue our inner clock is equally wise
Thank you for the positive feedback re travel stories 💕
This post really spoke to me. Sometimes the indecision I feel can either be an act of self sabotage or just a fear of moving forward. I completely agree with you, the only way to get past it is to take the plunge. I also wonder whether it is a lack of self worth, do we feel deserving enough to be a writer, or researcher or to have this kind of life the action will take us too? And if we don’t feel deserving it prevents the forward movement.
At the moment I’m avoiding doing some analysis on my research because I fear not being ‘good’ at it, but I love it and a new research position is calling me. I know all I can do is jump, practice and learn. I have a new mantra which I’ll be using from tomorrow which is to look on the mirror and say, ‘just get on with it and stop messing about’ 😂 I’m finding many people are in this spot at the moment. I wonder if somethings in the air and we all just need to jump together?x
So glad my words resonated, Anna. I’m not sure what’s underneath the stagnation, maybe a lot of individual stuff ranging from fear of the unknown, to questioning ourselves and the world, and the skills we may or may not have…
I’ve been observing the same, a stagnation and similar feelings across different people. Maybe the shift from winter to spring, and the movement we need is like spring cleaning and some liver support fitting for the season.
You could also remind yourself with the research and new position that you don’t need to be perfect, and you don’t need to have it all figured out. You’re literally there to connect the dots and bring to the surface new things - what research is all about. ❤️
Thank you for sharing this note, Carmen, and thanks for a wonderful post.
Life, generally, doesn't get easier. 10 years from now, things will be more expensive, we'll be older and less strong, politics will be more polarized, machines could have taken more jobs, etc.
There's nothing to be gained by delaying decisions that need to be made; no point in waiting to do what won't feel more interesting later anyway. Mistakes made in action are easily corrected with more action.
Whoever isn't doing isn't learning. Things are always hard, but they're harder for those waiting for them to get easier. We can think all we want, but the truth is that some things can only be known by doing.
Life always moves on, and it leaves those who aren't in it behind, and those waiting for the perfect moment to just simply aren't in it.
Thanks for a wonderful post once again.
Thank you for reading and sharing your wisdom, Patrick!
You’re right, things won’t get easier and stagnation won’t help. All we can do is focus on the mindset amidst all of it.