Who Is Really Holding You Back?

Have you ever stopped yourself from doing something because you believe that other people in your life wouldn’t support you?

I’ve had this situation recently, where I was struggling to speak up and say what I wanted as my career because I thought my husband wouldn’t like it.  I created a whole load of anxiety and stress for myself because I was assuming he would respond negatively to my dreams.

Even though he has said several times to me that he would support me in finding work that made me happy, and even if it meant we lost the roof over our heads, what was important was that we were together, for some reason, I didn’t really believe him.  I heard the words, yet didn’t find comfort in them.  I felt alone and stressed because I wasn’t trusting that the support I needed was there.

Turning down the opportunity last week was a tough decision.  We both had dollar signs gleaming in our eyes and the thought of making a load of money.  And yet, when I told him my decision to turn it down – he hugged me and said “Do what is right for you.” 

I’m so bowled over by that.  He’s supporting me in living my dream, even though it is a tough economy, even though if I take this risk I’m risking everything and it’s his stuff and his life too.  And yet I am supported.

All that pressure and anxiety was created by me.  He wasn’t putting the pressure on.  I was.  I was creating stress and anxiety and the worry was stopping me from writing.   

It would have been so easy to go with the easy route.  The route where I did what I thought was expected of me.  But by taking that deep breath and stating what I wanted I’ve smashed the illusion of no support to smithereens.

So what excuses are you making for yourself?  Who do you think wouldn’t support you in your goals?  Who do you think will judge you for your dreams?  Now close your eyes and ask yourself.  Is that really true?  Is it really true that this person is standing in you way.  Or is it, that they don’t know what you want because you are not saying?  Connect with the deep truth of the situation.  Are you totally sure that you aren’t using your assumptions about what other people are thinking as an excuse not to move forward?

Take that deep breath and tell them what you want and you may be delightfully surprised.

Tagged as: be true to yourself, emotional stress, self-confidence, support from friends, vibe-raising deep breaths