Do It Anyways
Have you ever felt so anxious, exhausted, or straight-up terrified to do something simply because you weren’t sure how it would turn out? Or maybe saying no felt easier—one less thing to worry about, one less demand on your already overwhelmed mind.
I’ve been there more times than I can count. There have been so many moments where I turned down opportunities or pulled back from people because my anxious brain needed relief. Avoiding the situation felt safer than facing the unknown. It felt like protection… even though deep down, I knew that avoidance wasn’t helping me grow.
In those moments, I often chose the temporary comfort of saying no. It felt like I was choosing peace, even if it meant losing out on something meaningful. And for a while, that was enough.
Avoidance vs. Boundaries
Over time, I’ve realized something important: while avoidance and boundaries can look the same on the surface—they both involve saying no—their intentions are completely different.
Avoidance is fear-driven.
Boundaries are self-respect-driven.
One shrinks your world.
The other protects your energy.
And don’t worry—I’ll be diving deeper into boundaries next week 😉
The Moment Everything Shifted
What helped me start stepping out of my comfort zone was something I didn’t expect: not wanting to let other people down. I know that’s a whole topic we could unpack on its own—people-pleasing, expectations, self-worth—but for once, it actually pushed me in a healthy direction.
About a year ago, I had a casual check-in scheduled with my mentor. No agenda. No pressure. Just two people catching up. Earlier that week, I was genuinely looking forward to it because I always left our conversations feeling grounded, validated, and understood.
But when the day arrived, I was absolutely drained. Work had been rough. My anxiety had been loud. The idea of opening my laptop and joining that Teams call felt like too much. I hovered over the message box, ready to type out, “Can we reschedule?”
Choosing to Show Up Anyways
Then I stopped myself. I thought about how consistently she shows up for me. How she makes time for me, listens compassionately, and encourages me in ways I don’t always know I need. And I realized: I wanted to be someone who showed up, too. Someone who didn’t disappear the minute things felt uncomfortable.
So I took a deep breath, grabbed my laptop, and joined the meeting.
And GUESS WHAT?
It ended up being one of the best conversations we ever had. Not only did it lift my mood, it opened the door to a completely unexpected—and incredibly exciting—job opportunity. I genuinely believe the universe nudged me forward that day, rewarding me for choosing discomfort over avoidance. For deciding to Do It Anyways.
When “Yes” Changes Everything
Fast forward to now:
I’m happier in my career.
I have a healthier work-life balance.
I’m doing work that feels meaningful and aligned with who I am.
And all of it came from one moment I almost avoided.
Now, I’m not saying you should say yes to everything, no matter what. That’s not realistic or healthy. What I am saying is: take a moment to check in with why you’re saying no. Is it because your peace genuinely needs protection… or because fear is calling the shots?
Sometimes the smallest yes—the one you give when it would be easier to step back—ends up shifting your entire path.
Your Turn: Say Yes (Even Just Once)
I hope this encourages you to start exploring opportunities, even when you feel scared, anxious, overwhelmed, or unprepared. You never know what’s waiting on the other side of discomfort.
And next week, I’ll dive into how to step outside your comfort zone in a way that still honours your boundaries and protects your peace.
Journal Prompts
What is one situation I avoided recently, and what emotion was I trying to protect myself from?
When have I said yes even though I was anxious, and how did that decision positively impact my life?
What is one small opportunity I can say yes to this week that aligns with my values—but still feels a little uncomfortable?