Unlike Shawn Mendes here, I wish I could say that there was nothing holding me back.
This question hit me like a tonne of bricks! What’s holding me back? At first, I was like “holding me back from what?” and then my brain was all “Gurl – do you want that alphabetically or categorically” and the sass just slapped me across the face so I sat down and listened.
Basically, it all boils down to fear. Specific types of fear, but fear nonetheless.
Fear of being rejected or getting my heart broken again holds me back in relationships right now. Fear of rejection keeps me from getting a finished children’s book published (and of course finding an artist to illustrate it and since I’m being totally honest, I’m a little scared of learning how to get it published because I have three finished books already). Fear of failure keeps me from that as well. Or from seeking more career advancement, or even just a change. Fear of letting people down, fear of change or the uncertainty of life for the first little bit while I make that change. Sometimes it’s the fear of stopping something in my life that I know I probably should stop but it makes me happy and I didn’t want to lose that happiness.
It really all boils down to fear. Which I think is probably a common theme when people look at what is holding them back. They don’t want to take that next leap or jump or baby step because they are scared of what might happen – both good or bad! How many times does the prospect of something great coming out of a little bit of a struggle cause us to stop? Why are we afraid of our successes?! I know that happens to me sometimes.
So how about you? What’s holding you back?
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No Love for Fatties 
Fear holds us back that’s true, but sometimes that’s good. It can keep us out of bad situations. Whenever, I haven’t listened to my intuition, I’ve regretted it. So when you feel afraid, listen to your gut. It’ll tell you if your fear is justified or not. 🙂
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It’s a hard line between knowing if it’s justified or if it’s just me holding myself back haha. But you’re right! Listening to your gut is a great instinct to have. I’m getting better at listening to mine.
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Good for you, and you’re right listening to your gut is something you have to develop. 🙂
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Fear is also a survival mechanism, too. While missed opportunities from fear is terrible, I’d like to think that my rational fear has served me well.
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It’s a fine line between missed opportunities and rational fears though, isn’t it? Lol and you never know which it is until after haha
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That’s true on all points 👍. That’s why there’s intuition, based on past experiences. Still, we truly don’t know which it is until after.
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Haha so true! If only we could see the future and act accordingly
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You’ve completed 3 books? You say you’re afraid of failure? Look at it this way: if you try to get it published, you’ve got a 50/50 shot at success. If you don’t try, you’ve got a 100% chance of not getting it published. I like the better odds. Easier said than done, yes. But, what’s the worst that can happen? 😊
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Lol I have the words for three children’s books finished, yes. And you are so right! 50/50 chance of success if I take them any further. It’s just taking them to the next step lol maybe after New Years I’ll look into finding an artist so I can submit them to a publisher
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Go for it, man. Life’s too short not to. 🤙🏻
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Thank you for the words of support and encouragement! 😀 It really has been a dream of mine even since I finished the first one (like 3 years ago). Just haven’t ever taken the next step.
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