Doing things that scare us is not easy. But, I would argue that it is essential for leading a life you will look back fondly on. Even if you don’t succeed at these things, you will have tested yourself. You will have gone on a journey. And you will have answered questions about yourself.

You won’t look back on your life questioning yourself. You lived your life fully.

For me doing things that scares me revolves around both physical and creative pursuits. I have evolved into someone who loves to run. Someone who desperately misses it when forced not to run. And I became this way by testing myself and increasingly doing things that scare me in the realm of running.

Creatively I try to push myself in my photography. I also try harder and harder to become a writer. Or BE a writer. Because to be a writer is simply to write. And I have taken on a new challenge that scares me and that is through developing a drawing practice.

I have done a lot of things that I never thought I could or would. Things that I never would have imagined even wanting to do. But then I reach a plateau and become stuck.

I have achieved some goals and that feels good. But there are more things I want to do. But I am afraid. I am afraid to put myself out there. What if I fail?? But even worse, what if I never try?

One way I know that I am stuck is that I turn off all those things that inspire me and motivate me. I stop tuning in to the artists and athletes who are doing great things. The kinds of things that I am inspired to do.

I stop because when I pay attention to them it reminds me of my potential. It reminds me of my dreams and my goals. Letting those experiences of others into my heart and into my head reminds me that I am afraid.

But, now I am choosing to turn that around. I am going to start reengaging with all those things that I love. Engaging in more than just what I am doing. But reengaging with the things that others are doing. Those things that inspire us and give us a sense of awe.

In 2023 I had a big goal of producing my first big Photography book. Creating it all on my own. This was a huge goal. And I did not realize quite how challenging it would be. I eventually ran into enough obstacles that I did not finish that project in 2023, but I did learn a lot. And that project is still in progress and will be completed at some point. But what starting that project did and getting stuck did for me is it motivated me to create several smaller book projects that I knew I could complete and put out into the world now. And I did it. If you would like to see what books I am publishing check out my Author page: Kyle Reynolds.

So, moving forward into 2024 I have some big running goals, not just for 2024 but ranging into the future. Goals that will take time, dedication, and determination to reach. And I also have some creative ideas I want to pursue. Ideas that have been in my head for a while, but I was too scared to pursue. On each of these I have told one other person about, but no one else. Particularly I have not told people that will be crucial to pursue those goals.

I want to pursue these goals because the pursuit of them will give me a life I love and will bring experiences that I value. Not pursuing them will only bring anguish to my mind and soul. I will always be thinking about them if I never try.

I plan to share more about these goals here in the future.

What are the things that scare you? Go do them.

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