💡 A Thought to Ponder
Growth can often feel like treading water—kicking, pushing, and hoping you’ll make it to the other side.
At some point, we all find ourselves in the deep end—trying to stay afloat, navigating change, and wondering if we have what it takes to get where we need to go.
And sometimes, the difference between struggling to stay afloat and making it through isn’t about strength—it’s about focus, perseverance, the belief of others, and trusting yourself to get there.
📖 The Story
Over the last two years, I’ve been on a journey of letting go—stepping away from the virtual assistant business I built for nearly 20 years and, with it, the identity that had been so deeply tied to it.
For so long, my work—the people I worked with, the work I did—was woven into who I was. Letting it go wasn’t just a career shift; it felt like leaving behind a part of myself.
Lately, I’ve caught myself saying, “In the last year and a half…” and every time I do, my mind drifts back—to a pool, to a younger version of me.
I’m in the deep end, arm floaties on, barely keeping my head above water. Kicking, pushing forward, eyes locked on the beaded barrier ahead. The only thing that matters is making it to the other side.
Stepping away and pursuing something new felt exactly like that moment—kicking into the deep end, realizing I wasn’t as strong of a swimmer as I thought I was, unsure of how far I had to go, and questioning whether I could even make it.
Around me, friends and others are jumping in—some for fun, some splashing me on purpose, others just caught up in their own swimming.
But it’s too much. I just need to get to the other side.
Kick. Kick. Kick.
Gulp.
Arms out.
Almost there.
On the side of the pool, a friend is watching me, making eye contact. They know I can make it—trusting in me more than I trust in myself, willing me forward just as much, if not more, than I am willing myself.
That’s been the last year and a half of my life.
And today, as I type this, I see a different version of me—older, wiser, but still connected to that younger self—standing at the edge of the pool, like a lifeguard.
Smiling.
Confident.
Capable and ready to help others—whether by making eye contact, cheering them on, or jumping in to assist.
🌿 Rooted in Reality: What It Means to Get to the Other Side
✅ 1️⃣ Growth isn’t always graceful—but movement is what matters.
Maybe you don’t feel like you’re swimming—maybe it’s more like dog paddling, kicking wildly, or just barely staying afloat. But as long as you’re moving forward, you’re making progress.
✅ 2️⃣ Look for the people making eye contact, willing you forward.
Sometimes, we need to see ourselves through the eyes of the people who already believe in us. The ones making eye contact from the sidelines, willing us forward when we doubt ourselves.
✅ 3️⃣ The moment you make it to the other side, everything shifts.
There’s a version of you that doesn’t know if you can make it—and then there’s the version of you that does. Getting to the other side changes you.
🔄 One Small Shift That Changes Everything
If you’re in the deep end right now, trying to make it through something hard, here’s what I want you to remember:
✔️ Keep your eyes on the end goal—not the distractions.
✔️ Take a breath when you need to—but don’t stop moving.
✔️ Look for the people on the sidelines who believe in you—even when you don’t believe in yourself.
You’re not alone. You’re almost there. You’ve got this.
💬 Making It Interactive: Join the Conversation!
📩 What’s a time in your life when you felt like you were swimming just to stay afloat? What helped you get to the other side?
Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your story.
Stay Connected 🌿
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