I used to think doing hard things meant taking big risks, travelling off the beaten path, and overwhelming myself with too many promises and commitments but still trudging through.
I used to think doing hard things meant I would win some award for tackling the hard path.
I used to think doing hard things meant surviving hardship, so I accepted living in a life that was hardship.
But my opinion has changed.
Making life hard on myself meant I didn’t have the mental energy, support or wherewithal to dig deep, understand why or evolve my way of thinking.
A hard life wasn’t the answer.
There were no medals, hero cookies or badges of honour.
There was sympathy, martyrdom, and victims. There is no honour in that.
Now I make choices that will make life easier.
I keep myself in good company with good people.
I don’t buy things I can’t afford.
I pay my bills, I keep my promises, I stay away from trouble, and I look after what is mine to look after.
But I haven’t stopped doing hard things, I’ve just changed what it looks like.
Doing hard things means being brave, being resilient, and being humble.
Doing hard things means trying to see differently, stretching my mind to expand my awareness of things I didn’t know existed, becoming a better version of me, and pushing through my own resistance to try new things.
Doing hard things mean being thorough, staying away from shortcuts, digging deep, and not quitting until it’s done.
Doing hard things means not believing something is impossible.
And we can do hard things.