I love writing posts that inspire people to dream, to let their imaginations run wild with their wishes and aspirations. I love to write posts that give people ideas and stimulate their minds to get creative and think outside the box. I love to post beautiful pictures to captivate and delight. But sometimes what needs to be discussed is what we’re avoiding and sweeping under the rug.

Original photo by Keyana Tea

Today’s post is about excuses. The things that hold us back from taking action, usually associated with a fear of some sort. We all have our own set of excuses, reasons that we keep feeding ourselves to ensure that we don’t take that first step towards something we truly want. Why do we listen to them and hold ourselves back?

This weekend I want us all to write down our excuses – everything that is stopping us from doing things that we’d love to do, achieving things that we want to achieve. I want us to look at them and see them as manifestations of our own fears rather than legitimate reasons for staying exactly where we are. What is that fear that is at the root of each excuse?

A lot of my own excuses come down to not believing in myself, a fear that I’m not good enough and that I’ll ultimately fail. I’m not sure why so many of us are terrified of failing. Is it a fear of disappointing our loved ones or really just the temporary pain of a bruised ego?

I don’t think anyone can be happy, or even content, with staying still. We all need constant movement. Change. Growth. All excuses do is stop you from moving on. They keep you safe from the embarrassment of failing – yes. But they also keep you from experiencing the pleasure involved in learning and growing.

Write them down. Find the fear behind them. Move on. Get living.

What are your excuses and fears?