"I can't"

It is a phrase that is said daily. Two simple words- I can't. When these two words are spoken together heads don't turn. It is a phrase that is so common people become comfortable with it. "I can't" rings through school hallways, late nights in the library, long hours in the coffee shop, and the quiet hours that you spend by yourself. It flies over our heads when we say or think it.

For some reason, we find it hard to get rid of the apostrophe and the t at the end. We feel uncomfortable with saying the words "I can" in a sentence. We find it hard to muster up the words that we are capable of saying. When we do, we seem to doubt ourselves. What if I truly can't do this? We seem to be the hardest on ourselves while everyone around us believes in us. Why is that?

In some scenarios, it can be the five papers you have due in a week that you've barely started. That seems nearly impossible. Five papers in one week. You need sleep, right? Don't start the week with a bold negative attitude. That won't be helpful.

In other scenarios, it could be working out. Your schedule is completely full of classes, studying, and work. You don't realize it but you say those two words yet again. When in all reality, you don't need to go to the gym to get your exercise for the day.

It could be mustering up the courage to say something bold. People fear judgment. The world comes at us with negative words all the time. We have strong opinions and yet, we don't want to voice them. We say a phrase such as "I can't say that! Someone will find a way to disagree with me." or "I can't tell them how I feel about [this or that]". It seems crazy, right? We do it all the time though.

Now, I am not saying to tell someone "I can" to everything. That's not being realistic.What I'm saying is to stop putting yourself down. Two words as simple as I and can't are ruling lives. We no longer realize when we say or type the phrase. By saying it we stop believing in ourselves.

We need to get the phrase "I can't" out of our vocabulary. It is becoming too common and too comfortable. We need to start truly believing that we can and we will, It could be the first or it could be the hundredth time.

Can't is a state of mind. It is not the ultimate truth. Believing in yourself can be hard but it is worth it. You may not succeed at everything. The point is you are capable of tackling struggles that come your way. You are capable of knowing you can and will accomplish your goals. The things that seem impossible will no longer seem impossible the day you release "I can't" from your vocabulary.