This has been a much needed phrase in my life lately. At random times of the day I stare in the mirror at myself, taking in deep breaths, and reminding myself that life doesn’t give you more than you can handle. When it feels like it is, that’s when I remind myself that it’s actually because I am ready to handle even more – I just need to feel uncomfortable for a little while as I adjust.

“I thought things would get easier.” “When do things start feel easier more consistently?” “I’m halfway through 28. Am I doing this whole life thing right?”

Normal, every-single-day questions. (Insert your own age – I’m sure you can relate to at least one of the questions above every now and again.)

Have you ever had someone reach out to you randomly to comment on how far you’ve made it? How they wish they could get themselves together too? How they feel behind and how they don’t understand how you’ve figured so much out already?

There’s always that pause. That moment where you wonder what that person thinks your life is really like. Hey, maybe you’re the person reaching out to someone else asking those types of questions. The reality is, most of us don’t have a clue if we’re doing much of anything right. When we’re alone at the end of the day, we reflect and wonder if we “convinced” everyone around us that we have it all together for another day.

It’s hard to feel ready to “be successful” in anything we do. It’s hard to think we are the ones that are supposed to take life head on and make all of the decisions for ourselves, our families, our employees, our students – anyone really. From my experiences and various conversations, the reality is that most people don’t have things figured out until they find themselves in a new situation. At that point, they do what they have to and push forward. They learn more about what is important and implement those things into their lives. They bring their own ideas and personality to the table. They make it work – especially if it is something in their lives that feels 117% worthwhile.

If you can relate because you never really feel “ready” or “prepared” for the bigger next steps of life, this next part is for you.

I want to suggest something:

It won’t always be easy. We’re human and being human is hard. Hard, but always worth it. You have one life. One – the here and now. This is it. This is your life. This is your moment. This is when you get to choose your next step. This is your opportunity to choose a positive outlook on life. This is you choosing to believe in yourself. This is you realizing that everything you ever wanted to be is already inside of you. Untapped potential. Untapped opportunity. Untapped hopes, dreams, and goals.

This is you accepting your past and your present. This is you saying yes to the future you continuously long for.This is you choosing you. This is you loving yourself more than you ever have before.