You’re Not Trying. You’re Doing It.
3 min
A few years ago, I sat in my therapist’s office, frustrated by all the ways I felt I wasn’t measuring up. I listed the goals I hadn’t reached, the plans that felt like they’d stalled. My therapist listened quietly, then said something that shifted how I see progress:
"You’re not trying. You’re doing it."
At the time, progress, I thought, had to look like grand, measurable success. But over time, I began to realize that progress often looks much quieter—small, intentional steps that eventually add up to something meaningful.
This time of year, I find myself returning to that conversation. Many of us start the year with resolutions, hopes for who we want to become or what we want to create. But when December arrives, it’s easy to feel like we’ve fallen short—like we’re just trying and not quite doing.
Here’s what I’ve learned: putting your resolution out into the world was already a step.
Earlier this week, I revisited my own intentions from January. At first, I saw what I hadn’t accomplished—the unfinished tasks, the unrealized goals. But then I started to notice the quiet progress I had overlooked.
The resolution to “move more” turned into a habit of going to yoga classes at a local studio, starting my mornings with at-home Pilates on YouTube, or taking a quick walk when I needed a break. These small movements weren’t part of a rigid plan, but they became acts of care—ways to connect with myself and prioritize my well-being.
The goal to “grow the Kume community” initially meant aiming for a specific number of followers. But instead of chasing metrics, I leaned into something deeper. Hosting quarterly journaling workshops taught me so much—not just about sharing the gift of journaling but also about creating space for connection and learning from others. What started as a goal to grow outward became an opportunity to grow deeper, and for that, I’m grateful.
The dream of launching a new product didn’t result in a finished project, but it became countless small steps of planning, learning, and refining.
None of these looked like the grand “success” I had imagined. But every step, no matter how small, brought me closer to where I wanted to be.
“Doing it” can look different for each of us. It doesn’t have to be grand or perfect or even visible to others. Sometimes, it’s as simple as showing up for yourself in the ways you can, with what you have.
So as the year ends, take a moment to reflect. Look back on your resolutions—not with judgment, but with curiosity. What small steps did you take? What intentions did you honor? You might be surprised by the progress you didn’t even realize you were making.
If you’d like to reflect further, join us this Sunday, December 8th, at 4 p.m. for our end-of-the-year journaling workshop at Château Le Woof. It’s a chance to pause, celebrate your progress, and set intentions for the year ahead. Together, we’ll step into the new year feeling lighter, clearer, and grounded in the knowledge that you’re not just trying—you’re already doing it.
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