My commitment issues run so deep, they trace all the way back to childhood—when deciding where to put a sticker felt like an impossible choice. I remember going to the doctor, being handed a sticker, and then freezing. Where should it go? What if I changed my mind about its placement? That sticker felt so final, and that little feeling in my chest told me I couldn’t go through with it. As silly as it sounds, I never actually put that sticker down on anything. I literally have a box of stickers.
That same hesitancy is why I’ve never gotten a tattoo. Tattoos look amazing, but the thought of choosing something permanent sends my mind racing. What if I don’t love it forever? What if my tastes change? That need for flexibility—the ability to change my mind—has been a theme that’s followed me into adulthood.
But these little quirks didn’t stay limited to stickers and tattoos. No, that what if thinking made its way into every corner of my life—my career, my goals, my friendships, my projects and dare I say, my dating life. I start strong, fully engaged, brimming with excitement and energy, but somewhere along the way, the magic fades. The passion dwindles, the motivation weakens, and suddenly, finishing feels impossible.
Navigating Commitment with Goals and Projects
One of my biggest challenges has been staying committed to the goals I set for myself. I jump in with enthusiasm, but once the excitement wears off, reality sets in, and the doubts creep up. I’ll ask myself, Is this what I really want? What if this isn’t the right thing for me? And so, the project remains unfinished, another idea abandoned.
It’s not that I don’t want to accomplish things; it’s that the act of finishing feels so final. And that finality can be intimidating and scary.
Progress, Not Perfection
Lately, I’ve been working hard to break free from this cycle. I’m learning to focus less on the perfect end result and more on the journey. Here’s what’s been helping me:
- Breaking it down: I’ve started setting small, achievable goals for each project instead of trying to take everything on at once. Small wins help me stay focused and motivated without feeling overwhelmed.
- Allowing flexibility: I remind myself that committing to something doesn’t mean I’m locked into it forever. Goals can evolve, and I can adapt as I go.
- Finding my why: Before I start a project, I try to connect deeply with why it matters to me. Knowing that purpose keeps me grounded, especially when things start to feel stale.
A Work in Progress
Commitment may never come naturally to me, but I’m slowly learning to approach it with more understanding and kindness. I remind myself that changing my mind isn’t a failure; it’s part of the journey. Finishing something doesn’t have to feel like I’m trapped—each goal completed is just one step along the path.
So here I am, a work in progress, learning to embrace commitment one step at a time. I know I’ll get there, and when I do, it’ll be on my terms.
If you’ve struggled with commitment too, how do you handle it? Let’s support each other through the ups and downs of sticking with what we start.
--
Alejandra