“I Hear You, But I’m Not Listening”

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how much our own thoughts can hold us back. As I work toward my creative goals, I’ve had to face the quiet voice that tells me to stop or slow down—and learn how to move forward anyway. Here’s what I’ve discovered…

Change is difficult.

I’ve decided to go after my creative goals and see what I can truly achieve. While I dream about the future, I feel the past trying to hold me back—past habits, past thoughts, past routines.

If I want to move forward, I need to let go of the past. I need to think differently, act differently, and—most importantly—feel differently. To achieve my dreams, I need to feel as if they’ve already happened.

While I work on this, a little voice in my head keeps whispering: “You’re tired, you should stop.” Or “Leave it for tomorrow.” Or “You’ve done enough today, no need to do more.” These thoughts are strong and persuasive, but today I laughed at them and said out loud: “I hear you, but I’m not listening.”

Awareness of these thoughts—and their seductive pull—is the first step to real change.

So, when that little voice says ‘stop,’ smile and take one more step. Your future self is cheering you on.