Things I didn’t think I could do…

… but did anyways

A list of all the once scary things

I needed a pep talk. My ego was filling me with self doubt - telling me I hadn’t accomplished anything in life, that I hadn’t tried enough things, hadn’t fully lived. Ever had that conversation - whether it be with a judgmental person or your own judgmental thoughts?  

Although I’m very emotional, I’m also very logical, so I created a list to hopefully prove my ego wrong. A list of what I considered major moments in my life that had originally terrified me, but I did them anyway. A list of moments in my life that set my heart on fire. A list of all the things that originally or still to this day have my palms sweating when I think about them. 

My hope was I’d look at this list and feel more satisfied with my life. What I actually felt at the end, was joy and determination. Joy from all the wonderful memories and determination to continue pushing myself. I’m nowhere close to what I eventually want to achieve - but that's the fun part, right? Knowing there are more wonderful moments ahead!

The point of this short story is - you can do all things. Even if they are scary, even if they don’t seem ideal or the smartest thing to do. Do the things that keep nagging at your soul! 

I invite you to join me - create your own list. Look back on all the things you’ve already accomplished.

ANYTHING can go on this list. That’s the beautiful part - there are no rules, it’s all up to you. 

Is baking the perfect homemade birthday cake on your list? Yum! 

Did you learn to ride a bike - even better! (I feel ya here, I was terrified and didn’t learn to ride until I was like 12).

Do what sets your heart on fire

1.Moved to NYC after college

• I grew up in West Virginia. At the time I moved to NYC, it wasn’t very typical for people my age to leave WV, especially not move to one of the most multicultural cities in the world. 

• I lived in NYC for almost 10 years.

2.Brooklyn Half Marathon

• When I moved to NYC, I had zero family and knew very few people. I was lonely and needed a hobby. I ran cross country in high school (only because they kicked me off the track team for being too slow), but hadn’t really ran since. 

• 17 days before the Brooklyn Half Marathon I signed up. Within 17 days I went from running 3 miles, to crossing the finish line of a half marathon. One of the stupidest things I’ve ever done, but maybe one of the best. It led me to an entire new world that I’ll forever be grateful for.

3. Six Marathons + Countless other races + Lasting Friendships

• As I mentioned above, that first half marathon changed a lot about the rest of my life. I continued to run, joined a charity group “Team for Kids”, mentored new runners, ran more marathons (including one with my mom), made lasting friendships, and even met Meb Keflezighi. 

• Every single training and race mile was difficult, but brought so much joy and so many memories.

4. Solo travel to Peru

• I’ve always had a deep desire to travel. It was the first time in my life where I had full control of where to go. Sadly none of my friends or family could take off work for the trip, so I decided to not wait and just go alone. 

• I hoped that I’d find friends hiking the Inca Trail, but everyone that was supposed to be in my group got altitude sickness and I did the trail solo. I had a guide and porters of course (can’t go without them), but that was also terrifying. I was the only female in the group, in a foreign country, in the middle of the mountains. Being a woman, it was a gamble. But they were a wonderful group of men who I would have not made it without - they were truly amazing.

5. Bouncing back

• At this stage in my life I was working at the bottom of the ladder. Two times I was laid off from different companies due to business constraints. Each time it was devastating, but it proved I was able to get back on my feet.

6. Skydiving

• I always felt like I needed to skydive. Only a few months after I met my now husband, we went skydiving. It was terrifying. Not only skydiving, but being in a tiny plane, attached to one person and squished against others, with the plane door open. But it was liberating and I’d do it again.

7. Became a certified Project Management Professional (PMP)

• It was 2019 and I hadn’t taken a test since 2011. I took a class, studied hundreds of hours, and sweated through a super thick hoodie during my test, but I passed! The photo above is me in my new shirt that I had to buy since my other shirt was soaked in sweat.

8. Quit our jobs to travel

• Having lived in NYC for almost 10 years I was feeling stagnant. I needed a change, and not just a career shift. You’ve heard of the Sunday Scaries? Well I had them every day. I’d even get breakouts of what I’d call “ stress bumps” on my hands. 

• What was even worse was I knew nothing in my life was bad or wrong, just that I wanted something different. I was beating myself up over a desire I couldn’t control. Thankfully I have the most supportive husband who also needed a change. We quit our jobs, moved all of our stuff out of NYC and traveled for 6 weeks before living with my Mom in Florida. We had been trying to get jobs for years in Colorado, but no one was biting. I thought if we made a drastic enough shift, the universe would provide.

9. Defy Gravity - 3,228 ft high

• It was the first day and first hike of our 6 week trip. Tired from traveling but full of excitement we headed out to Kjeragbolten. It’s approximately a 6.8 mile hike with 2,600 feet of elevation gain. That alone was something I’d never come close to doing. The big event is at the halfway point, when you stand on a bolder wedged between two mountains at 3,228 feet high. There’s a very narrow walkway and then you’re standing on a BOLDER with nothing below you. I still get sweaty palms every time I think about it.

10.Moved to Colorado w/ only 1 job

• After about 3 months living in Florida, I got a job in Colorado. This sounds like a great thing, and it was! It was also absolutely terrifying. We moved across the country on a salary that would definitely not support both of us, just praying it would work.

11. Build a bookshelf

• When we moved into our house in CO, we were in the middle of the pandemic with no end in sight. I had a vision that the office in the house needed a built-in bookshelf. I’d never even used a drill in my life, let alone built something. But I couldn’t stop thinking about building one.

• It’s not perfect, but it’s perfect in my eyes. It also opened up a new avenue of creating for me.

12. ???

• Can’t wait to see where life takes me next!