Don't Give Up, Keep Going

   Let’s face it, change is hard. If it wasn’t so hard more people would be living their dream lives. It’s important to remember that even though change is hard, it’s a necessary part of life. Change is also very natural. Think about how the seasons change multiple times per year. Trees and flowers bloom in the spring and summer, and then change when fall and winter arrive. We too experience seasons of change. Some changes are more pronounced while others are subtle. When I reflect on my journey towards becoming a licensed psychotherapist, it’s easy for me to remember the times when change was tough versus when it was easy. It took close to a decade to become a licensed marriage and family therapist. Yes, a decade when you factor in earning a bachelor’s degree, attending graduate school, gaining the required hours of practice to become licensed, and studying for and taking the licensing exam. It was a slow and steady climb to my goal, and I thought about quitting lots of times when it was hard to accept that I would need to change more than I already had. I didn’t give up, and I grateful that I didn't because I love being a therapist and can't imagine being happier doing anything else.  
   Wherever you are in the change process, don’t give up. Routinely remind yourself about the reasons why you wanted or needed the change when you started your journey. It’s also good to think of all the amazing things you'll gain from changing your life. The rewards will be worth the discomfort and hard-work but you won’t discover them if you don’t keep going. So, keep going. You’ve got this.  


​Photo by Mignon Hemsley/Unsplash