Start Anyway, Slowly

Keep my mind sturdy, I sit back down with the one real thing in front of me and I stop pretending that thinking about ten things is the same as doing one thing with care,
Keep my mind sturdy, I notice how my attention tries to escape the second the work becomes quiet and ordinary, like I only respect effort when it comes with fireworks,
Keep my mind sturdy, I feel that old itch to check, to scroll, to rearrange my plans again, because movement feels safer than commitment when I’m scared I won’t do it well,
Keep my mind sturdy, am I avoiding this task because it asks me to be honest in my effort, not impressive, not fast, just present and willing,
Keep my mind sturdy, I return to the next small step and let it be enough for now…

Do it with dignity, I approach the task like it matters because I’m alive and this is my life, not because someone is watching or because it will look good when it’s finished,
Do it with dignity, I catch myself reaching for drama the way I reach for sugar, because drama makes me feel important when I secretly feel unsure and unworthy,
Do it with dignity, I feel how complaint tries to rise up like a shield—if I complain first, then I don’t have to risk failing in my mind’s silence,
Do it with dignity, why do I keep trying to protect my pride my excuses more than I protect my progress,
Do it with dignity, I lower my shoulders and still start anyway, slowly, plainly, sincerely…

Give myself a break, I release the extra mental arguments I keep rehearsing, the ones that never solve anything but somehow leave me drained like I worked all day,
Give myself a break, I admit I love to punish myself with “should,” with “not enough,” with “you’re behind,” as if shame is the same as discipline,
Give myself a break, I notice how I postpone peace by insisting I must first deserve it, even though the work asks for steadiness, not self-hatred,
Give myself a break, what if I could be strict with my focus without being cruel to my own foolish heart,
Give myself a break, and keep going with softer hands and a clearer mind…

Keep it simple, I stop asking the day to explain itself to me, and I stop asking the task to entertain me before I agree to do it,
Keep it simple, I feel how my mind creates side quests so I can avoid the one main thing that would actually build momentum,
Keep it simple, I admit I sometimes confuse overthinking with caring, when it’s really just fear wearing a thoughtful face,
Keep it simple, am I willing to do what’s right in front of me without turning it into a whole story about me,
Keep it simple, I do the next right action and let the rest wait outside…

Watchwords:
Keep my mind sturdy with one real thing
Do it with dignity, just start anyway
Give myself a break from “should”
Keep it simple, do the next right

Here is Tikatarot, who dares you to answer the question, “Who am I?”..

As and will always be reminding you to dream:
“As you are still the Master of your destiny and the maker of your dreams…”

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