How Embracing My Concern Of The Unknown Made Me Courageous 

But, when the surprising stormed in and shook up my fastidiously constructed routine, because it tends to do (simply once we assume now we have all the things so as!), somewhat than cower in worry and retreat into the proverbial turtle shell, I made a decision to stand up and take the problem life had simply thrown at me.

“In spite of everything,” I instructed myself, “you solely reside as soon as. Who is aware of what’s on the market on the earth ready for me if I simply poke my head out of the shell and have a look round?”  

Leaving Safety Behind

It began with a transfer to a brand new state and forsaking the protection of a safe 8-5 job I cherished. I left the one group of family and friends I had recognized most of my life. I felt like I used to be stepping out onto a decent rope with no security web beneath. There have been so many unknown variables with which to contend!

I usually questioned my sanity, my plans, and my functionality as a single thirty-something to begin over and check out one thing new and vastly completely different. What if it was all an excessive amount of? What if I failed? What if I couldn’t return? What if my life, because it had been up so far, had been ok? What if I used to be tempting destiny by hoping for one thing recent, and possibly even higher?

Anxiousness and worry have been working across the clock to dissuade me. I used to be unsure I may deal with this a lot “unknown” in my life. There was, nonetheless, a relentless, nonetheless, small voice pushing me in the direction of the unknown…to truly consider that there was one thing even higher on the opposite aspect.

Embracing Change

So, I did it. I made the transfer, went into enterprise below my very own title, and began attempting issues I had by no means performed earlier than. I spotted that the one factor I needed to worry, actually, was remorse.

I grew to become a weblog reader and stumbled upon The Blissful Thoughts. I discovered to steadiness my work and private life with relaxation within the midst of change. I discovered from Shelly Miller’s Sabbath Society to interact in “extravagant wastefulness” each once-in-a-while, by being okay with doing nothing on a time off.

I discovered power and a calling in Brené Brown’s work and discovered tips on how to “Dare Tremendously.” I took dangers and selected to be susceptible, particularly when the world instructed me to current my ‘excellent’ self and keep protected by not presenting my contribution to the world for recognition. I discovered myself pursuing desires and objectives I didn’t even know I had.

Within the midst of all these thrilling adjustments, I made a decision to take part in Catherine’s teaching program to realize perspective and readability round the place I needed my life to go subsequent. I achieved all my objectives in 3 months! Probably the most stunning consequence of my work with Catherine was that each one of my new objectives concerned much more unknowns than those with which I started! I discovered myself excited to strive one thing new—I used to be even able to stroll the tightrope with out the protection web this time.

Braveness, power, problem—and a more true model of myself—had all been hiding within the Unknown, on the opposite aspect of worry.

I by no means would have discovered these new desires and wishes if I had not taken that first preliminary and terrifying step into the undiscovered alternatives from which I had so diligently protected myself.

Changing into Courageous

Right here I’m, a yr and a half later, having found an innate bravery I by no means knew I had. I’m making one other huge transfer, making one other thrilling profession change, and touring to Uganda to deliver hope and therapeutic to folks there by a non-profit group. I’m terrified to journey internationally and there are such a lot of unknowns on this work in Africa; but, I’ve by no means felt so alive, or believed so strongly that higher issues are ready if I simply let go of my worry and stroll into the Unknown.

My anchors alongside the best way have been my religion in God, the steadiness of a routine that I perfected by assist from Catherine, and Brené Brown’s work in Daring Tremendously and Rising Sturdy.

Have I made errors alongside the best way, succumbed to anxiousness at instances, damaged down in tears, questioned all that I’m doing, wanting to return to what’s snug? Completely!

What will get me again up once more is my perception system and people issues that I do know to be true; I’m cherished by family and friends and I’m courageous.

Within the phrases of blogger and creator Mandy Hale, “Change might be scary, however you already know what’s scarier? Permitting worry to cease you from rising, evolving, and progressing.” I’ve grown, developed and progressed extra within the final 18 months than I’ve at some other time in my life—all as a result of I confronted my worry of the Unknown and embraced change.

And in an ironic twist, I discover myself searching for out the Unknown now, to see what awaits me there! So right here’s to taking what life throws at you, surprising or not, and discovering your bravery within the midst of it. I promise you, your future is on the opposite aspect of the Unknown. Stroll into it!

About The Creator: Kelsey is a licensed psychological well being therapist with years of expertise working with quite a lot of populations and ages. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Northwest College and a Grasp of Arts in Counseling Psychology. In her free time, Kelsey likes to learn, run races and revel in all of the Pacific Northwest has to supply.

Did you relate to Kelsey’s story? Tell us what bravery means to you!

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