The Scariest Moment

01 Jan 2014 13 Comments

by Jolyse Barnett in The Writing Life Tags: ,


“The scariest moment is just before you begin.”       Stephen King

Which direction for you?

Which direction will you choose?

This quote is true for people like me, people leery of the unknown. I tend to frequent the same stores and restaurants, eat the same dozen or so meals, and follow the same daily routine. I even visit the same vacation spot and stay at the same great little B&B each year.

There’s something to be said for comfort.

But there may come a time when you realize you need to push yourself—to grow, to change, to improve your life. What do you want to accomplish more than anything else? What are you doing to reach that goal? Have you surrounded yourself with like-minded, supportive, or inspirational influences?

A new year is a wonderful opportunity to make a positive change in your world—big or small. Embrace change for the better by making the most of each moment.

Happy New Year 2014!

13 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. PJ Sharon
    Jan 01, 2014 @ 09:15:13

    You are so right, Jolyse. I often think about “stepping out of my comfort zone” as the key to personal growth and the only way to move toward becoming my best self. I love how Jillian Michaels refers to those last few repetitions of an exercise when you think you can’t go on or feel like you’re going to die, as “when the magic happens.” If we push ourselves, we find that we have strength we didn’t know was there and that big changes come only when we are willing to step out of that comfort zone and get “uncomfortable”.

    Peace and blessings in the New Year, my friend. Here’s to pushing our limits!

    • Jolyse Barnett
      Jan 01, 2014 @ 10:54:25

      Hi Paula! I like your example of exercising and pushing past what you believe is your endurance point, working those muscles, strengthening and stretching just a little bit more. I find that’s true with writing my daily words. I often don’t get to write until the evening, after I’ve used so much of my mental, physical and creative energy on other endeavors. I have to force myself to reach those minimum number of words but when I do, I often am rewarded by a new burst of creative thought and I can double my word count in short order. I think of it as “The Writer’s High.”

      Happy, happy! 🙂

  2. davidprosser
    Jan 01, 2014 @ 10:29:28

    May your New Year be filled with variety as well as Love and Laughter Jolyse.
    xxx Massive Hugs xxx

  3. Jill Weatherholt
    Jan 01, 2014 @ 11:18:43

    We are very much alike, Jolyse. I too find comfort in familiar places, foods and people. I love my routine and have a tendency to become stressed when it’s disrupted. This year I’m going to try to be more accepting of change and push myself harder when it comes to writing. Happy New Year to you and your family!

  4. Tuere Morton / YA Author
    Jan 13, 2014 @ 19:49:59

    This is so true. After you make up your mind to do something, the rest is smooth sailing…sort of. lol. Great quote! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  5. Sonia G Medeiros
    Jan 18, 2014 @ 21:38:00

    I have a love/hate relationship with change and new beginnings. On the one hand, I’m easily suckered by the next big idea and love to change up what I’m doing. On the other hand, change scares the crud out of me. Sometimes, I feel both things at the same time. Right now, I’m feeling joy and terror at the prospect of being almost done with my WIP’s first draft.

    • Jolyse Barnett
      Jan 22, 2014 @ 15:52:02

      Congrats on being close to THE END with your first draft, Sonia. I’m happily working my way through the final third of mine. I love new beginnings, too, but I hear what you’re saying about fearing the unknowns and the change. I guess we just need to embrace the joy and the terror and use it to write the best story we can.