Let it go
I heard a quote once that inspired me to take action: "enjoy what you are capable of with vigour and joy!" The author was referring to, of all things, Elsa from the movie Frozen! He was analyzing a scene in the movie where Elsa is unshackled and able to explore her powers for the first time in her adult life. The scene is a spectacular piece of animation and also a powerful example of someone finding unabashed joy in their own abilities.
This got me thinking about all the times in my life when I shrank into the background, afraid and ashamed of my own talents. Despite having a number of passions, I spent most of my twenties not pursuing my dreams for fear of not being good enough. Always in search of perfectionism and consistently falling short of trying, terrified to step off the ledge and try.
Towards the end of my twenties, something started to change. I've written before about the night when I decided to stop caring what others thought and start living for me, and this is very much related.
As I rounded thirty, I began to feel a curious confidence creep into my soul. At that time, I had built up a daily yoga practice focused on movement, and I could feel a subtle shift happening. When I first started, there were certain shapes that I was unable to make with my body, but after some time, they started to get easier and easier.
Before I knew it, I was making shapes with my body in ways I never thought possible! I've always been inflexible both in mind and body, but suddenly there was a world of possibilities stretched out in front of me, as far as the eye could see.
Over the next few years, I began exploring my passions and talents with a new vigour that I hadn't had before! Unshackled from guilt, self-loathing, and fear, I quit an industry I hated, moved halfway across the country, and started my first business! After that, I took up guitar, wrote my first song, and directed my very first music video. I pursued comedy and acting, and soon landed a role in a local movie, working with the production company to this day. After my first business folded during the pandemic, I was able to start my second business. I started a podcast, created a brand from scratch, and now, in full circle fashion, I am working as an advanced teacher of therepeutic yoga.
Without the constraints of perfectionism and self-doubt, I have been able to do things I never thought were possible. I cannot say I would be missaerable if I hadn't learned to embrace my talents and pursue my dreams, but I doubt I would be the person I am today. My only hope is that others will see this and maybe feel inspired to do the same. Imagine what you could do if you were to do what you do best with joy and vigour as opposed to fear and self-doubt. Take a page from Elsa's book and "let it go."
