The first step is the hardest
Writing this first post felt exposing, awkward, and overdue. But Mission 52 only works if I’m living it. So here’s me, beginning—with fear, honesty, and two values that helped me start.
The First Step
The idea for Mission 52 was conceived nearly six months ago. From the beginning, I knew it had potential—not just as a personal experiment, but as a platform to help others navigate life with more intent and purpose.
Of course, that meant stepping out from the comfort of my journal and into the public domain. It meant writing content that exposes my inner thoughts and feelings in a brutally honest way.
It’s one thing to be honest in your own journal. That’s where self-understanding begins. But doing it out here, wherever “here” is—that’s where things get uncomfortable. That’s where the ego pipes up. Fear creeps in. Self-doubt. Procrastination.
The inner voice starts its chant:
“People won’t get it.”
“They’ll laugh at you.”
“It’s all self-indulgent bullshit anyway.”
“Who are you to tell people how to live?”
“You’ll get bored. It’ll be an embarrassment.”
The list goes on.
But something shifted this past week. I’ve been living Mission 52 for months now—testing it, refining it. And I honestly believe there’s something here that could help others, especially those who may have had a similar story to mine. But to offer it, I have to write.
For the Record: I’m Not a Natural Writer
I’ve lived with a mild, undiagnosed form of dyslexia for most of my life. Spelling’s been a lifelong challenge. Retaining more than three digits in my head? Still a mystery.
But tech has changed things. Grammarly, AI, writing tools—they’ve given me just enough confidence to keep going. I’ve designed with tech for decades. Now I’m using it to shape thoughts, not just visuals. And that matters.
The Pillars I Lean On
If I’m going to write about Mission 52, I have to live it. And that starts with these two:
Make It Matter - This isn’t content for clicks. This is how I express what I care about. Writing is new for me—messy, strange, exposing. But it’s a form of creativity that matters because it’s true. If even one person connects with what I write, that’s enough.
Time Is Ticking - I don’t know where this goes. But I do know I’m tired of holding back. The whole point of Mission 52 is to live with intention—while I still can. So I’m starting now. Not because I’m fearless. But because I’ve run out of excuses.
A Quiet Prompt for You
Maybe you’ve felt it too—that quiet urge to begin something. To take a step. To let go of the wait.
What’s the thing you’ve been holding back from?
And what would it take to begin—today?