Avoiding activities we find challenging or scary can make those tasks seem even more intimidating over time. By choosing to approach, even in small ways, we start to break the cycle of avoidance. With each approach, our brain learns that the activity might be less overwhelming or scary than it first seemed.

It’s easy to feel like if we can’t do something perfectly or “the right way,” it’s not worth doing at all. We all get into that trap sometimes, which can often leave us stuck. Our suggestions and resources are here to help you recognize your bandwidth and adjust activities to fit where you’re at—whether that means scaling up or down. Every little bit counts.

We’ve all held off on tasks, hoping motivation would kick in, only to find it never shows up. The truth is, waiting for motivation can keep us stuck. Often, just starting an activity—even if we’re not feeling it—brings motivation along once we’re in motion.

Let your values lead the way! When we clarify what truly matters to us, we can make choices that align with those values, even if they feel uncomfortable. Taking action based on our values can actually help us cultivate the motivation we need to do it, building up a sense of identity and meaning along the way.