I NEED A VOLUNTEER FROM THE AUDIENCE

I’m about to do a magic trick.

Before we begin, make sure you are devoid of any forms of distraction. Once you start reading this post, you won’t stop until you finish. Don’t go to another tab or check your phone. Just focus on this, the task at hand.

 On the count of three, hold your breath.

One,

Two,

Three. Are you holding your breath?

Count to ten, then exhale. Now doesn’t it feel good to release something you’ve kept inside for so long? (not a metaphor I swear)

Now think of something that you’ve wanted to do for the longest time but have been putting off because of, let’s say, no time, or no motivation. It could be reading a book that’s been sitting in your shelf, giving you side eye whenever you pass by leaving it unopened and unread, or starting your own novel and finally standing up to that blank piece of paper that has been intimidating you for the longest time. If nothing instantly comes to mind, think of an idea you had, but you dismissed for being too far-fetched or would take a lot of time and effort. 

On the count of three, do exactly as I say.

One...

An effective mantra I picked up from a movie and have been using ever since is whenever you want to do something but you’re too scared, you should count to three, then do it, just do it do it do it do it do it and don’t stop keep going keep going keep going, until you’re actually doing it. I use it to talk to strangers in public, or whenever I’m procrastinating (I also used it to convince myself to start writing this post. As you can see it’s pretty effective).

Two...

When we reach three, stand up and do whatever it is that you’ve always wanted to do but kept putting off. Once you start, keep going. Just imagine a little person in your shoulder shouting ‘’YES YESYEYSY KEEP GOING YES SLAY MY LIFE” in its cute little person voice. That tenth episode of Skins can wait - you will never know if you can fly if you don’t jump. It’s okay to be scared, but you shouldn’t allow it to inhibit you. Besides, isn’t being fearless all about being scared but jumping anyway?

Three.