"You were born with wings, why prefer to crawl through life?" ~ Rumi
Breaking free : A Journey from Dependency to Self – Reliance
Life has an uncanny way of teaching us the lessons we need, of ten in the most unexpected ways. For me, the lesson came wrapped in the frustrating experience of waiting, waiting and waiting for someone else to help me build a simple website. What started as a straightforward request to a friend with web design expertise turned into a year-long lesson in self-reliance, resilience, and the transformative power of taking charge of your own destiny.
The waiting game
When I first approached my friend, I was full of excitement and optimism. I envisioned a sleek, professional website that would serve as a platform to share my thoughts, insights, and services. My friend’s assurance that it would be a “quick project” looked like a perfect solution. However, days turned into weeks, and weeks into months and months into year. Excuses piled up: “I’m busy with other projects,” “I’ll get to it soon,” and “It’s almost done.” Each time I reached out, I felt a mix of hope and disappointment. By the end of the first year, I realised that I had handed over not just the responsibility for my website, but also my control and progress. It was a bitter pill to swallow, realising that my dependency had put my goals on hold.
The Turning Point
Frustration has a way of sparking action. One day, as I stared at the blank canvas of my unfinished dream, I made a decision: no more waiting. I set a deadline for myself, a hard stop to the cycle of dependency. If my website was to come to life, it would be by my own hands. The decision was liberating but also terrifying. I had no prior experience in web design, no technical background, and a steep learning curve ahead. Yet, the thought of taking control energized me. I wasn’t just building a website; I was reclaiming ownership of my life and ambitions.
Learning to Build
I started with the basics. Tutorials, blogs, and YouTube videos became my new best friends. I explored platforms like WordPress and Wix, gravitating toward their user-friendly interfaces and dashboard. The process was slow and filled with challenges. My first attempt looked like a 90s relic rather than a modern website, but it was a start. Every hurdle became a lesson. When I struggled with layouts, I learned about design principles. When my inputs clashed, I dove into troubleshooting forums. Each small victory, figuring out on how to embed a form, optimise images, or add a blog section boosted my confidence. Slowly but surely, my vision began to take shape.
The Website Launch
The day my website went live was nothing short of exhilarating. It isn’t perfect, but it was mine testament to perseverance and self-belief. More importantly, it marked a shift in my mindset. I no longer saw obstacles as reasons to wait for someone else. Instead, they became challenges I could tackle myself, armed with curiosity and determination.
Lessons Learned
This journey taught me more than just how to build a website and it also reshaped my approach to life:
Infinite Potential: Humans are inherently adaptable and growth-oriented. With every skill challenge overcome, your learned capacity to achieve more expands.
Mindset Matters: Empowers you to see opportunities rather than insurmountable obstacles. While it’s natural to rely on others, recognized dependency can shift. A growth mindset sees obstacles as improvement rather than barriers.
Be Aware of the Trap: To seek help can stall your progress when over-collaboration turns into a roadblock.
The Power of Persistence: Great achievements are often the result of consistent, small steps forward. Each effort compounds, creating momentum.
Limitless Learning: In today’s world, access to knowledge is unprecedented. With resources like online courses, books, and communities, you can acquire almost any skill or expertise.
Action Trumps Perfection: Waiting for the perfect moment or perfect expertise often means waiting forever. Progress, however imperfect, is always better than stagnation.
Learning Empowers You: Every skill you acquire expands your possibilities. The confidence gained from learning something new is invaluable.
Set Boundaries and Deadlines: Giving yourself a clear timeline can be the push you need to move forward. Deadlines turn dreams into actionable goals. Celebrate Small Wins: Each step forward is worth acknowledging. These moments of progress keep you motivated for the larger journey.
Building the life you need
This experience wasn’t just about a website; it was about building the life I envisioned. It was about realising that the power to create, to grow, and to achieve lies within us, and not in the hands of others. Today, my website is not just a digital space; it’s a symbol of resilience and self-reliance. It reminds me daily of what is possible, when we stop waiting and start doing. More importantly, it has fuelled a mindset shift one that I carry into all areas of life. Whether it’s personal growth, career aspirations, or new challenges, I now approach them with the belief that I am capable of learning, adapting, and succeeding. So, if you find yourself stuck, waiting for someone else to act, remember this: you already have everything you need to begin. Take the first step, and let the journey shape you into the person you are meant to become. While external factors may shape your journey, your mindset, effort, and choices are the keys to unlocking your full potential. The only real limit is the one you set for yourself!
What’s your next goal? Let’s make it happen.
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