Upending Our Lives

In a light-hearted text exchange with a friend, he suggested I write a blog post about “not stressing out while trying to upend our lives.” I think that comment may have been rhetorical, but you get a post anyway! When we take the road less traveled, abandon comfort, and risk all that we perceive as normal, stress is sure to follow. I can’t even explain the amount of stress I’ve experienced since leaving my prior career. The bills will be paid this month, but what about next month? What about the month after that? I have a bunch of client contracts expiring soon……will they keep me around or move on? Will Northern Vessel continue to perform at a high level? When will the next paid speaking gig come? Will anyone want to sponsor our podcast? Yeah, this stuff is EXTREMELY stressful.

With all that being said, I’ll take this stress every single day of the week over a different kind of stress. Many of you know exactly what I’m talking about. The stress of waking up every day with a feeling of dread or mere tolerance for what you’re about to do. The stress of knowing your job security and compensation is in the hands of a collection of people that could simply cut you at a moment’s notice. The stress of doing tasks you simply don’t believe in or see value in. The stress of wanting something different, but being too scared or overwhelmed to go after it. That’s the kind of stress that will eat one’s soul.

I’ll take my stress any day of the week. It can be daunting, overwhelming, and crushing at times……but it’s tied to meaning, purpose, and impact. We absolutely upended our lives when we made our shift nearly four years ago. Neither Sarah nor I would claim it was easy…..but we’ll both testify to our graves that it was worth it. A whole lot of stress, combined with a whole lot of meaning!

“Just Keep Going”

Early last week, I accomplished a big win. Well, it wasn’t actually a huge win, but it felt like it to me. There was a singular moment when I realized I was finally caught up and didn’t feel like I was chasing anymore. It was the first time I had experienced this feeling in more than seven weeks. It felt like a massive weight off my shoulders. I even sent Sarah and text informing her of my win. Being all too familiar with my plight, she was equally happy for me. I was beyond excited, ready to embrace my new status of not feeling the overwhelming weight I normally carry with me.

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Just seven hours later, the party stopped. I opened my laptop to see an odd black thing on the screen. When I went to wipe the debris off my screen, I quickly realized the black thing was actually inside my screen. I frantically rebooted my computer to see if that would help, but it only got worse. The screen has been black ever since. From that moment on, I’ve been navigating logistical, technological, and scheduling issues. Needless to say, I’m back to feeling overwhelmed and frustrated.

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We both call each other “kid”……long story.

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I had a moment with Sarah the next day. I was venting to her about how frustrated and tired I was. We’ve been married long enough that Sarah knows nothing she says at that moment will actually help me. Instead, she gave me a big hug and whispered into my ear, “just keep going.” Oddly enough, it did help. She’s right, I had no other choice. I just need to keep going.

Today’s post may not seem inspirational or encouraging on the surface, but maybe it is. Just keep going! You may be facing something that has two options: 1) give up and quit, or 2) just keep going. I’m encouraging you to keep going. Not despite the fact it’s hard, but especially because it’s hard. When things get difficult, that’s the moment we need to accelerate through it, not let off the gas and putter our way to the other side.

Someone is having a worse week than me. For that, I’m sorry. You deserve better and your better is coming. Just keep going, though. You’ll be on the other side of it soon enough!