Fall Forward

It’s officially Autumn. But, this year instead of falling back, I am making a conscious effort to fall forward. Forward thoughts. Forward action. Forward steps that pack enough momentum to propel me ahead. I was going to call this post Fall to Pieces because lately (aside from having weekly crying sessions) I have been carefully examining the pieces of my life, trying to figure out what is missing in an effort to better myself. And, in doing so, I foolishly assumed it is necessary to have all of the pieces of my life together in order to take the next step. But what if I am wrong? What if the missing pieces of my life that I need to propel me forward are actually the steps that I have not taken.

Clarity comes after taking action.

This means that we won’t always know the way to go or what path we need to be on until after we have taken a step. Whatever that step may be. A big step. A small step. A confident step. An eyes closed praying for the best step. Any step is a good step, as long as it is a step forward.

Which takes me back to the missing pieces. The ones that I (and we) need in order to fulfill whatever it is we are trying to achieve. Unless you are the luckiest person on the planet, those pieces are not going to come and knock on your door, looking for you, shouting “here I am!” If only it were that easy. Instead, you have to go out and find them. You have to step it out.

But where are the missing pieces? How do you know for certain where to find them? You don’t. You try something. And if that doesn’t work, you try again. And If you fall, you fall forward, and then you get up and take a different step. You step over. You step around. You step through. And eventually all your steps and missteps are going to illuminate something in your brain, like you are powering up a light bulb in your mind that is charged by making a move. The more you move, the brighter and clearer the way becomes.

And, the best way to get moving is in a kick-ass pair of shoes.

The right shoe can make everything different.

Jimmy Choo

Humans are individual, so naturally we each have our own set of criteria for what makes the perfect footwear. For me, I like a versatile, comfortable, functional, and stylish shoe. Like this classic Frye zip- up short bootie that I scooped up on Poshmark a couple years ago for a fraction of the price. I wear these shoes almost daily in certain months and I will probably cry when I have to retire them due to wear and tear. They’re that good.

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But, here’s the thing. It’s really easy for me to tell you all to take a step, like it’s the simplest thing in the world to do. It’s not. We all know it takes courage and strength, especially when it is a step into unfamiliar territory. And believe me when I say that nobody needs to hear this message more than myself. I find myself stalled and stuck quite often when what I need to do is keep taking steps and moving forward. Mentally, emotionally, and physically.

For me, taking steps like writing down my goals, creating a vision board of the hopes I have for the future, and journaling my progress (setbacks and all) is helping me to get going in the direction that I need to be. I recently added taking physical steps in the form of jogging back into my weekly agenda, as well, hoping to improve my mental health and my ability to focus and follow through.

Everyone in history who ever did anything, no matter how big or small, had to get on their feet and take a step. What steps do you need to take in order to be where you want to be? Take a minute and write them down. Even if it is just a thought or an idea of where to go. Putting them on paper is a great first step toward making your vision a reality.

And, if you are interested, check out this great book about luxury shoe designer Stuart Weitzman’s personal collection of footwear that showcases an amazing array of shoes throughout history, including a pair of bridal shoes from 1838, and a pair of 1936 spectator pumps worn by rookie Joe DiMaggio’s girlfriend and signed by twenty-seven New York Yankee baseball players.

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Perhaps many of the greatest inventions and ideas that we know today came simply from putting on a pair of shoes and stepping forward. Try it. It could make all the difference in your life.

What is one thing you can do today that will nudge you in the direction you are wanting to go? Tell me in the comments below!