filed in Daily Life
You Just Do It
Part of what led me to become a career coach was my own experience with hopelessness. It was the first extended time in my life where I couldn’t seem to find the solution, no matter how much energy and effort I put it. Not having hope is the worst feeling. I would take my dog on long walks, and feel so sorry for myself. But I kept plugging away, and one day, I did find the solution. In my case it was related to work, and as a career coach, I now get to hold the hope for my clients, even when they can’t see it for themselves.
Illustration by Ella Frances Sanders
Discussion
8 comments for “You Just Do It”
Leave a Reply
About this Site
FIRST PERSON SINGULAR is a guide to surviving, thriving and sometimes just getting through a single day. Created by Wendy Braitman (more…)
Follow First Person Singular
Greatest Hits
© 2010 First Person Singular. 
This reminds me of my high school track coach, who would tell us, ‘just keep putting one foot in front of the other.’ Although he didn’t mean it that way, in retrospect I realize it’s the best life advice I’ve ever gotten.
Thanks, Robin. One step at a time. It bears constant repeating.
One foot in front of the other, one day at a time. Sometimes one hour at a time. And then you string together a few hours and then a few days and that’s what makes a life.
Thanks as always for the reminder Wendy!
And at the same time, being in the moment. Life sure is complicated.
Thank you for revealing your feelings of hopelessness. So often people hide those feelings or times in their lives.
That is the best way to create a new situation for yourself. I remember looking at your posts about taking walks when you had an intractable problem earlier in the year. At the time when I was reading them I was unemployed for many months. I remember thinking ‘I bet she’s not talking about problems like mine.’ But I would take walks anyway. Good for you for getting back on track and not losing faith. I know its tough and even though I am working I still consider myself as someone who is still recreating themselves.
I’m still dealing with my problems by walking – it is an on-going process. A Dad who had a major stroke that we had to put in a nursing home, a Mom with Parkinson’s who doesn’t want our help because she does not want to be a burden, and another hard problem that has not been resolved yet, but I am hopeful. If anyone has aging parents, I recommend A Bittersweet Season: Caring for Our Aging Parents– and Ourselves by Jane Gross. The medical and nursing care processes are very scary and complicated – this book helps, but it is good to know BEFORE the fact. I thank god for my sister everyday, we handle it together. Fortunately I was employed and still am. I am grateful for that too. Whenever I feel like, oh my god, I put on my walking shoes. 🙂 Also, I visit your website almost daily. I love the art and your words are a comfort to me. Thanks Wendy.
Dealing with aging parents is such a huge, primal experience. I’ve gone through it, and it’s really profound. I’m glad you have a good partner with your sister. And I’m grateful to be a comfort to you, as you are all a daily comfort to me!