The Power Of “Why Not?!”
“I’m selling my Etsy store. I don’t think I feel it anymore,” – my voice sounded firm for a second. “What are you talking about?” – my husband doesn’t mind my “whims.”
Etsy store was out of his realm of understanding. “Why so fast?” – the question came unexpectedly after a moment of pause. “H-m, you know, it’s just time to try something else.” I had no idea what “something else” would mean for my future.
Thirteen years ago, my hometown of Rechitsa in Belarus was the place I returned to after graduating with a degree in teaching. No expectations of excitement, no new adventures or independence became part of my reality in a small Belarussian town.
My first job came from the government. $150 was paid monthly. I didn’t care about how much that money would buy me: my parents were a massive part of my financial support. I lived home, I never cooked, I was lifeless.
Freedom of choice had always been on my list of wishes. More than anything, did I struggle to steer my life the way I imagined. To go where my heart called me to, to make mistakes and take challenges was ingrained into my spirit.
No changes were possible without scary beginnings. That was my flagship, and I was waiting for the time to get the opportunity of a lifetime.
A few months into my teaching career, I received a letter from one of my friends who had moved to America to pursue a Ph.D. American life was not unknown to me. A year before I started my teaching career in Belarus, I had visited the US as a student and fell in love with everything this country had offered to me: excitement of my first dollar check, shopping on my own, romantic adventure, stories of immigrant students who dared and stayed to pursue an American adventure.
The letter from my friend talked about the possibilities of scholarships, getting a degree, moving overseas, and had a detailed list of instructions on how to do it.
Then, came my first moment of “Why not!?” It’s usually a powerful moment when the desired seems to be so reachable, when all the doubts disappear, and nothing is out of one’s control.
In about 2 years, with some massive action, I was in New Jersey, a newly enrolled student at a Master’s program. The power of “Why not?!” has never left me from then on.
Commuting two hours to my first job, quitting for a better opportunity, changing positions in my teaching career, changing schools, applying to a university with a 2% acceptance rate, opening Etsy store, signing up for $1000 courses, giving birth to a baby in the middle of the semester, taking an unpaid maternity leave in the midst of losing a house – every dare was powered by “Why not!?”
Being content with life is not always easy since the peaceful life flow can become dangerously regressive; therefore, I stay restless and don’t question decisions to start something new.
“What if it fails? What if it is just a waste of time and money? What if it is just my mood?” Guess what? You will never understand what really speaks to your heart unless you take an effort, start a venture, learn from errors, persevere, or give up to start a new path.
The most significant loss is regret, the regret of “What if?” and “I should have…” It has no place in my life.
If you know the feeling, you will not let yourself idle. Take any chance that comes into your life, try new ideas even if people around you don’t approve of them or consider them silly. Don’t see motherhood, job, or student status as a boundary to stop you from venturing into the unknown.
The unknown is the engine of the future. The unknown brings you the thrill of discovering your potential, authentic you, your desires. Don’t postpone your curiosity. Use it to become a better, happier, more vibrant version of you.
As the day comes to an end, the feelings of excitement fade away, and routine is about to creep in, grab a notebook and write your ideas on the paper. Make a list of things you would love to explore or have. Visualize your ideas becoming a reality and don’t stop believing in what you can be and how far you can go!
Have a happy day! Keep creating!
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