You Can Do the Thing

What’s holding you back from living the life you want?

That’s the question I asked myself when I started Sweatpants & Coffee. I still ask myself that question regularly, and the answer always comes back: me.

It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem.

Every time I find myself at the brink of a new chapter, I freeze up. All the very worst voices in my head show up for a visit. They make themselves at home. They raid the fridge. They make a mess. They stay up ALL night, making a racket so I can’t sleep.

“You can’t do it.”

“You won’t make it.”

“They’ll all laugh.”

“You’ll fail.”

“Who do you think you are, anyway?”

Seriously, the worst house guests ever. The kind that show up on your doorstep unexpectedly for an indefinite visit. But here’s the thing. I let them in. I play miserable host. I forget that I can kick them out by challenging their bullshit with kindly yet firm self-talk and deliberate acts of self-care.

“I can do it.”

“I will make it.”

“They might laugh, but screw ‘em.”

“I might fail the first few times, or the first dozen. But I won’t give up on me.”

“I’m figuring out who I think I am, and I’m going to make future me proud. She’s waiting and cheering me on.”

You can do it. You can do the thing. Be prepared to fail, and try not to be awful to yourself. Watch a baby trying out her legs for the first time. Would you heckle that kid? No! You’d give her encouragement. You’d keep an eye on her because she’s going to fall, but you’ve got her. You’d cheer every step she took.

You’re making a life. Every day. Good for you.

Enjoy this free printable as well as this original illustration JUST for Substack subscribers.

Love,

Nanea