You ever notice how everyone’s waiting for something? A green light. A sign from the universe. That mythical “perfect time” when everything just falls into place. It’s kind of fascinating, isn’t it? How we’ve collectively agreed to put our dreams on layaway until some invisible authority tells us we’re ready. And the funniest part? The people we’re waiting on—those bosses, parents, critics, or imaginary gatekeepers? They don’t care. They’re not sitting around drafting memos about when it’s okay for you to start living your life. They’re busy worrying about themselves.
It’s ridiculous, really. We give them so much power, and for what? Approval they’re never going to give because, spoiler, they’re not thinking about you. You think your boss is strategizing your career trajectory? Nah, they’re Googling “how to fake Excel skills in a presentation.” Your parents? They probably still think Facebook is cutting-edge tech, bless them. And Susan from accounting—because there’s always a Susan—is just praying no one realizes she’s been doing the same crossword puzzle for three days.
Meanwhile, you’re over here paralyzed. You’ve got plans, ideas, ambitions, but they’re stuck in this endless holding pattern because you’re waiting for someone to wave a flag and shout, “Go!” The real kicker? You don’t need anyone’s permission. You never did. It’s just fear. Not the dramatic, heart-racing kind, but the sneaky kind that shows up in a comfy sweater labeled “responsible.” Fear dressed up as caution. It feels safe, but all it does is keep you stuck.
I’ve been there. God, have I been there. You tell yourself you’re just being patient, waiting for the stars to align, but what you’re really doing is hiding. Because trying—actually going for it—means there’s a chance you’ll fail, and no one wants to faceplant in front of an audience. It’s easier to wait, isn’t it? But here’s the thing about waiting: it’s a thief. It steals your time, your opportunities, your momentum. You don’t notice it at first because waiting feels so passive, but one day you wake up and realize you’ve become really, really good at standing still.
And let’s talk about the “qualified” people out there doing the things you dream of. Spoiler alert: they’re not all geniuses. They’re not braver or smarter or more talented than you. Some of them are clueless. Many of them suck. But they’re out there, aren’t they? Starting businesses, launching projects, running marathons, making noise. Not because they know more, but because they decided to stop waiting. They just started. Badly, awkwardly, imperfectly. And they got better.
That’s the part that always blows my mind. The world is full of people who are terrible at what they do, but they’re out there doing it anyway. Every sub-par fast food chain? Every mediocre band? Every poorly written book? None of them waited for someone to say, “Hey, now’s the time.” They just started. They messed up. They kept going.
So why are you waiting? What’s stopping you? Because if it’s fear of judgment, let me put it bluntly: nobody cares. People are too busy worrying about their own insecurities to care about yours. Nobody’s sitting in a conference room plotting how to embarrass you for chasing your dream. And if they are? They’re sad, irrelevant people. Ignore them.
Life’s messy. It’s awkward. It’s full of failed ideas, cringey moments, and half-finished projects. But it’s also full of those electric, heart-pounding, alive moments that only happen when you’re in the middle of doing something. Anything. Even if it’s terrible. Especially if it’s terrible.
The thing about waiting is that it doesn’t last forever. Eventually, the thing you were waiting for—whether it’s confidence, the right timing, or some external validation—just evaporates. And what you’re left with is regret. You’ll look back at all the things you could’ve done and realize that the only person standing in your way was you.
So here’s what I’m thinking: what if you just stopped? Stopped waiting, stopped overthinking, stopped giving a damn about what Susan or anyone else might think. What if you decided that now—this messy, imperfect, uncertain moment—is the right time? Not because it feels perfect but because it never will.
Let’s be real: the worst-case scenario isn’t failing. It’s doing nothing. It’s sitting there, year after year, polishing your excuses while the world moves on. That’s the real failure. And honestly? You’re better than that.
You don’t need permission. You don’t need the stars to align. You just need to stop waiting. Take the leap. Make the mistake. Try the thing. Not because anyone told you to, but because you decided that waiting isn’t working anymore. You’ll figure it out along the way. You always do.
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