Starting is a Powerful Act

Why is getting started so hard sometimes?

I’ve been putting off creating this newsletter for far too long. Whenever I thought I was ready to begin, I peppered myself with questions: What do you have to say? Why will anyone care? Who needs another newsletter? Eventually, I'd exhaust myself and put it aside.

But, every once in a while, someone would ask me about it. My friend, Damon Brown (whose various works—newsletter, podcast, books—for creatives are fantastic), would gently nudge me. Or folks would say, "You should write a blog/newsletter." I wanted to do it. I could help people. But I always had a reason why it wasn’t the right time to start.

I need a plan.

It’s not perfect.

I'm too busy.

It might not be an overnight success—or a success at all.

Does any of that sound familiar? Perhaps you have other reasons or questions standing between you and what you want to do.

It's time to do those things you want to do.

I was writing my resolutions for 2025 and realized that I was carrying over “launch Bloom Anywhere” yet again. I’m often the person to whom other folks turn when they need a pep talk, strategy, or brainstorming session to solve a thorny problem or reach a goal. How could I keep encouraging others to be bold and brave if I wasn’t doing the same thing?

Bloom Anywhere’s tagline is, “Life is messy. Thrive anyway.” It’s true. Our day-to-day experience may be full of setbacks, insecurities, and other challenges that get in our way. Some folks are dealing with chronic illness, job loss, financial trouble, or other obstacles. Sometimes, these are minor. Other times, they are life-altering in monumental ways. However, regardless of our circumstances, I believe that we often have an opportunity to make things better.

So, I ask you: How do you want to change your life or find more joy? What's stopping you? There may be very good reasons. But think about what might happen if you took one step toward the vision you have in your head. And then another.

Together, let’s explore what’s possible.

The goal of this newsletter is not look-on-the-bright-side toxic positivity. Nobody wants that. But finding small ways to address and manage challenges or move toward our goals can build the momentum that changes our lives.
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I don’t have a psych degree, and I’m not an expert in personal development. However, I’ve been writing about research and expert opinions on improving work and life for more than two decades. And, of course, I grapple with my own challenges. Who doesn't? I want to put those experiences to work for you.

Community helps us move forward.

So, let’s spend a few minutes together each week learning how to build the lives we want. It feels like a time when many of us could use a community to do so. Consider Bloom Anywhere your permission slip to pursue your goals and dreams, even if you're figuring it out as you go along. I can’t promise that everything will come up roses—but I believe we can find ways to bloom, regardless of where we’re planted for the time being.

Want some company? Invite a friend to join us. Please share the subscription link: www.bloomanywhere.com. If you have ideas for topics, reply to this email and share them with me. I welcome your feedback. And if you're getting this newsletter, you likely signed up a while ago. Thank you for being so patient.

Let’s go.

Gwen

What I'm:

• Listening to: Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s podcast “Wiser than Me” is insightful, poignant, and relatable.
• Clicking on: It's Women's History Month, and I've been reading the blog posts on A Mighty Girl, which features books, toys, and movies "for smart, confident, and courageous girls." If you're interested in stories about strong, brave women who have fought and triumphed through difficult times, check it out.
• Looking forward to: Daylight saving time starts this weekend in the U.S. and other parts of the world, giving us more daylight hours. I welcome a little more sunshine.