Taking the First Step
Taking That First Step
Dear friends,
Every journey begins somewhere.
For many of us, that first step is the hardest part—whether it’s calling a therapist, starting a business, setting a boundary, or making a life-changing move. Maybe you’re thinking about quitting a job, getting sober, committing to a creative project, or even walking the Camino.
No matter what your path looks like, that first step takes courage. It asks something real from us: vulnerability, honesty, and a willingness to face the unknown.
LOOK AT PODCAST Y’ALL Check out our conversation on taking the first step with a special guest, Fran!
by Dr Leslie. on Camino coastal route- Portugal 2023
“Why Is the First Step So Hard?”
Because the first step isn’t just a movement forward— it’s a quiet rebellion against everything that told you to…. Stay small, stay silent, stay the same.
It’s standing at the edge of the only version of yourself you’ve ever known and whispering, “Maybe there’s more”.
It’s the terror of not knowing what comes next, the ache of old stories gripping your ankles, begging you not to rise.
It’s the sacred discomfort of letting go of a pain that became familiar— a pain you’ve built a life around.
The first step is hard because it’s a doorway. And we all know—
Once you walk through, you can’t unsee your light.
But still, you step.
Not because it’s easy.
But because somewhere inside you, something is ready to come alive.
Why Is the First Step So Hard?
Here are a few reflections that might resonate with you—or someone you know:
1. Fear of the Unknown
Our brains crave predictability, even when the familiar isn’t serving us. Change stirs up uncertainty, and uncertainty can feel overwhelming.
2. Identity Disruption
Taking that step means acknowledging that something needs to shift. That’s powerful, but it can also shake up how we see ourselves and how others relate to us.
3. Vulnerability
Beginning often means being seen, opening up, and letting ourselves feel. That’s brave—and scary—especially if we’ve been hurt before.
4. Perfectionism & Pressure
We think we must do it perfectly or wait until we’re completely ready. The truth? No one ever feels 100% ready.
5. Internalized Messages
Old beliefs—like “I don’t deserve to heal” or “nothing will change”—can whisper loudly, drowning out the voice inside that longs for something more.
6. The Emotional Load
The first step can crack open emotions we’ve tucked away. Our bodies might brace for impact. That’s okay. It means we care.
A Moment for Reflection
Take a breath. Then consider:
Can you remember when you took your first step on your healing path?
What was going through your mind at the time?
What made that step possible?
What shifted in you that allowed movement?
How did it feel—emotionally, physically—to finally take action?
And maybe even more importantly:
Is there a “first step” in front of you right now?
What Holds Us Back?
So many of us delay taking action—not because we’re lazy or unmotivated, but because we’re scared. We don’t want to get it wrong. We don’t want to be disappointed again.
But here's something I often share with clients:
You don’t have to take a perfect step.
You just have to take an honest one.
Ask yourself:
What would a tiny step forward look like today?
What if “not knowing the whole path” didn’t mean you’re lost?
Encouragement for the Journey
If you’re standing at the edge of a new beginning, feeling frozen, please know you are not alone. That resistance? It doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you're close to something that matters.
Small steps count.
Pauses are part of progress.
You’re allowed to begin again, and again, and again.
After the First Step
Sometimes, after we take that step, we expect immediate clarity. Instead, we meet confusion, fatigue, or fear. That’s normal.
Here are a few questions to gently hold in the “space in between”:
What surprised you about what came next?
How do you stay grounded when the path still feels blurry?
What helps you trust the process, even when it’s slower than you hoped?
Progress isn’t always obvious—but it’s happening.
If you’re still showing up, still breathing…. still willing to try…
That is progress.
“After the First Step”
They told you the first step was the hardest— and maybe it was.
But no one warned you about the quiet ache that follows, the space where nothing is clear but everything is in motion.
This is the middle ground.
Not quite who you were, not yet who you’re becoming.
It feels like standing barefoot in fog, holding hope in one hand and doubt in the other.
But this is where the real work begins.
This is where trust grows— not in the outcome, but in your ability to keep walking, even when the path doesn’t shout its name.
You are not lost. You are unfolding.
Keep going.
Upcoming Groups……….
Master Maintenance Class
Prerequisites: Take Your Life Back &More Main Program and Masterclass
Master Maintenance is for those who are no longer just surviving—you're ready to thrive.
This group is designed for individuals who have already done the deep initial work and are ready to go further. Through the lens of family systems, we explore how to:
Build and sustain healthy boundaries
Cultivate deep self-love
Break old patterns and live intentionally
Stay grounded in your identity while staying connected to others
Step fully into the life you’ve been working toward
If you’ve already made progress and had a breakthrough (or two!), this space will help you build mastery and integrate the healing you’ve started so that you can live life to the fullest.
MASTERCLASS- Family Systems Group Therapy- Next Start Date : Saturday, June 7th
Prerequisite: Take Your Life Back and More Main program.
Masterclass goes a little deeper with Family Systems. We use drama therapy, psychodrama, and family constellations in our sessions to explore dysfunctional family patterns and practice new behaviours. There are 5 modules. You will construct a genogram while other modules review a particular family dynamic.
Until Next Month...
As we move through May, I invite you to take one gentle step toward whatever is calling you. And if you need someone to walk beside you, I’m here.
