Hi, everyone! Last week, we discussed moving out of our pathway when we want to experience growth and new development. Sometimes, it’s easier said than done, especially if you’re riddled with anxiety like I am occasionally and a recovering overthinker. I haven’t shared this before, but to offer more of my professional background, I am a corporate cutie, meaning I work in nonprofit healthcare marketing! I truly love my job; just like any other occupation, you have some days with good interactions and others less exciting. Regardless, I am thankful for my career, professional development, and the incredible projects I have led or assisted on my team.
The purpose of this blog is to encourage yourself to have the ability to change your life as your season progresses. This can relate to going on more dates, saving x amount of dollars, investing in your entrepreneurial endeavors, or having more family quality time. The list goes on forever. Just like you, beautiful readers who may see this, I am not perfect. And, just like you, I have days where my mental health is on a high wave of blissful abundance, and the not-so-beautiful days, I have emotions of overwhelming self-doubt and an almost internal battle to elevate myself sooner than my expected timeline in my head, which can sometimes be intimidating.
Last week, I mentioned releasing the mentality of a timeline because all a timeline does is still joy if you give too much power towards this goal(s) or dream (s) you are actively working towards. Imagine spending all of your free time when you aren’t working your typical 9-5 or 12-hour shift, constantly overthinking or preparing your life or future with those of your friend Brittney. It doesn’t do anything but cause unnecessary stress, avoidance, and self-doubt, ultimately leading to self-sabotage.
No matter how many times we plan, rewrite our goals, or isolate ourselves, your life is a continuous journey, and believe it or not, it doesn’t end when a particular character of your past is revived for season 2 of maturing in life, by investing in your dreams, desires, and goals. Speaking from personal experience, your past self served an incredible purpose in your life! Your past self helped to protect you from the things in your space in your world that wanted to continuously call you into addictions, toxic friendships, unhealthy mental coping, and so much more. The choice and decision to leave behind your past lives first is never easy. But, once you feel your heart and soul tugging you for elevation, it makes it much easier to isolate yourself, quiet your mind, and finally accept God’s word in your heart to challenge yourself to a brighter future!
Leaving behind old friends, cities, relationships, and careers is a blessing. Learning to be thankful and rejoice in the true colors of those failed relationships to be shown are so much more worth the growing pains versus learning 20 years down the road that those who were kept closest to you all along were sabotaging your dreams. My parents always told me, “Not everyone is happy or will celebrate your success like you think.” And it’s honestly true! I’ve had past relationships where I’ve been ghosted and gaslighted into believing everything was fine, just to be weighed down by bombshells of lies. It’s never easy to take in bad news; however, the storms never last. There is always a beautiful rainbow on the other side of those failed relationships, and it’s up to us to have the courage to elevate, say our goodbyes, and move on by investing in our dreams and futures!
Have the courage to stand alone!
I am a fan of the podcast “What’s the Juice, hosted by Olivia Amitrano. Let me tell you, she is truly unique! From speaking about organic healthy eating to ensuring we consume appropriate probiotics, antibiotics, and symbiotics. Olivia does not shy away from topics such as health crises, healing our inner child, etc. She truly understands how to deliver groundbreaking health and wellness to her audience, making them feel seen, heard, and not alone, sharing similar concerns or thoughts around topics we’re all thinking about.
In season 5, episode 6. Olivia mentions how it’s necessary to allow your soul the ability to grow. We can sometimes make ourselves smaller for the comfort of others in our family, friend circle, or profession because we don’t want to be judged too extreme or lose that codependent relationship of “you get me.” But the truth is, it’s honestly time we release that mentality of “you get me” to everyone we meet. I may be unpopular with this, but I’m okay with standing on my own in this opinion. It’s not the first time I’ve had a different opinion, nor the last I will stand alone. As humans, we constantly seek community and those we view as pioneers championing what we’re all thinking, feeling, experiencing, and hoping to achieve. Still, we have yet to reach that level of confidence. Here is my advice: do it!
It sounds cliche to the Nike slogan, and it’s not as easy as saying versus doing, but babes. We have to stop sabotaging ourselves, shrinking ourselves, waiting on others to agree with us, and actually make this happen on our own! I cannot tell you how often I have cold-emailed professionals in my organization who don’t know who I am. But I needed those answers, or was responsible for making the connection, from my manager! You will not always have a support system, nor will your new idea for piloting a grassroots project be accepted, but you must harness that courage! Harness is the ability to say, “I don’t care what he/she thinks; I am taking matters into my own hands.”
We shouldn’t have to reach that ultimate pivot in our life where we are so frustrated we can’t see straight that we are forced by no other choice to take action in our own hands. However, we should feel confident in piloting our vision by taking risks, betting on ourselves by building new relationships and advocating for our vision and future dreams and desires. Using myself as an example again, I began blogging because long-form writing, storytelling, and embracing life outside the dotted lines have always been a passion of mine! It’s always been a talent I possess, but I needed to figure out where to start. I thought telling my dreams to friends and joining podcasts would be fun until I learned it was only my vision. And that is when I learned pivotal moments of my past were blessings more than discouragement.
Stop waiting for others to approve your dreams. You don’t need others to tell you which era we will be in this season or year. I also love a delicious era and aesthetic video, but the truth is that it is only sometimes realistic for some. Just like some things I may have said might not be exciting or enjoyable for you, our opinions and practices are not one-size-fits-all. We’re all different; we’re all beautiful, talented individuals whose pasts have made us who we are today and becoming in the future. It is impossible to elevate, mature, and discover our truths at the same time. It takes time, constant evaluation, self-awareness, and commitment to your future self that you are worth the investment!
I have slipped so many times and stumbled into old behaviors and toxic relationships. However, that is not what defines me. That is not my story, but instead, a beautiful part of my testimony. It’s a stunning testament to how I recognized what made me feel lonely, what made me feel happy and loved, and what I knew I had to finally do to say and walk away so I may harness my future. I can look back on my past versions of Morgan and smile with a complete and content heart!
I am confident and optimistic about myself and where my future is headed. I am thankful for my long nights, closed doors, failed relationships, friendships, jobs, and toxicities; I will tell you this: never dull your shine for others. Everyone will not believe in your dreams, destiny, vision, or simply you as a person. Some will smile in your face, then curse you when you’re out of sight. I am not saying to isolate yourself entirely and abandon the community; however, keep your wits about yourself and stay true, for that is the internal compass that will guide you into your most authentic self of becoming and future.
You are meant to fly!
Our lives aren’t forever. So, why live every day waiting on someone else’s approval or making yourself smaller for the comfort of others? We are meant to evolve, change, expand our horizons and cultural experiences, and live abundantly, authentically, and vibrantly! There will never be a “perfect time,” or when you are 100% healed, to begin that next phase of your life. But you owe it to yourself to take those chances, make those bets on yourself, even if you’re standing alone, and expand your soul!
You will not forever live in your current space. Just because a dream of yours hasn’t been achieved doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Investing today leads to more immense rewards tomorrow. Expressing yourself, praying with God, living authentically and abundantly, and challenging yourself is where you begin to see the most beautiful progress come to life.
As someone who is the youngest, I’ve always unconsciously thrived on codependency. Until recently, I’ve learned the beauty of becoming more selfish with my time, talents, abilities, goals, and dreams and living more authentically according to my values. You cannot continue to hold yourself back for others. What is meant for me is my calling, and each day is growing into a stronger desire. The timeline has no construct in life. Advocate for yourself without the approval of others, listen to your inner voice of desires, and when you are ready and passionate, allow yourself to FLY!