The only way to grow is to not stay where you are.

What an obvious statement. But the concept is terrifying, isn't it? When we're used to broken things that make us feel like that's all we deserve. When our standards are so low that the belief of something better doesn't even exist.

But what if it does? What if everything you ever wanted is somewhere you haven't explored yet?

What if you chose to stop running away, instead choosing to take a deep breath and plunge into the unknown?

What if you loved yourself enough to say "I deserve better"?

I won't tell you to stop being afraid. The absence of fear would take away the value of so much that we have yet to gain. But it's not about the absence of fear, it's about taking the jump even though your knees are shaking.

There is better out there than your dead-end job, your manipulative relationship, your EXCUSES. The key to finding it? Stop settling. Stop believing you aren't worth it. Stop accepting the crap!

Go on that date. Apply for that job. Move out of that town. Go back to school. Say goodbye, or say hello, or hello again. Get on that stage. Take the road less traveled.

The greatest regrets in life are the "could-have-beens."

"My advice to you is to soften into the discomfort. Accept it. Know that it's gifting you growth, fuel, and grit. Whatever it may be that you're claiming this year as your desire and dream, I wish you the comfort within your discomfort. The stillness within the unease. The softening within the stretch. And mostly, I wish you the match that lights and revives the fire to keep you going. Because you can. Keep going." - Victoria Erickson