The Hardest Part Is Starting: Reflections on My 100th Blog Post
My 100th blog? That’s crazy. Fear and self-doubt made the beginning tough (kindov like starting Pilates). But taking that first step has taught me about growth and the power of perseverance.
Dear Substack Reader,
A quickie heads-up that this post celebrates reaching a milestone on the previous incarnation of my blog: pilates + life + health.
The Starting is the Hardest Part
Apologies to Tom Petty, but he was wrong.
When it comes to blogging, the waiting isn’t the hardest part - starting is. Writing and then actually hitting that publish button? Yikes!
As I sit here reflecting on the journey to my 100th blog post, I realise that the beginning was filled with more hesitation than I expected - the fear and doubt that came with this process was real. But just like starting a Pilates practice, or any new endeavour for that matter, the hardest part was simply taking that first step.
NB (in full transparency if you were to actually count how many pilates + life + health blog post there are online it’d be a little shy of 100 cause I’ve deleted a few)
I began writing blog posts in October 2021, a journey that had started with a self imposed challenge: to write long-form emails to my mailing list once a week for a year. It felt good to put my thoughts into words, but it also felt fleeting - like all that effort vanished the moment someone deleted my email (that is if they even opened it). That’s when I decided to turn those weekly emails into a blog - a place where my thoughts could have a bit more staying power.
Looking back, most of my writing has naturally focused on Pilates, something I’m deeply connected to as an instructor of the method for almost 25 years. About 95% of my posts have been about the intersection of Pilates and life, (checks name of blog) aligning with Joseph Pilates’ philosophy which I of course second:
“with body, mind, and spirit functioning perfectly as a coordinated whole, what else could reasonably be expected other than an active, alert, disciplined person”
Movement + Writing + Me
My journey in movement started early - I began dancing at the age of three and it was (my poorly compensated) livelihood until almost forty. This lifelong love of movement has deeply informed my life and my work as a Pilates instructor. Writing about these experiences feels natural because it’s something I know well. But starting wasn’t easy.
Starting to write was daunting, just as starting a Pilates practice can be. The fear of putting myself out there, of not being good enough, of people judging my prose loomed large. Can you relate? Over time, my writing became a practice, much like Pilates, and way to build resilience and self-trust.
I don’t consider myself a writer but rather someone that enjoys writing - you really wouldn’t want to read any fiction or poetry I’ve written even though I could quote you that haiku I wrote in 6th grade. (It must have been close to Thanksgiving because the subject matter was the landing of the pilgrims at Plymouth Rock! And now whether you’re reading my blog for the first time or have been following along for a while, you’re realising / remembering that my writing often digresses…)
So I write about what I know - movement, health, and the joy (some would say soapboxing) of sharing that love with others. And whether you are that first time reader or a consistent stalwart who’s read all most of my posts I’m grateful for you and the journey that brought me here.
New Things = Scary
Starting something new can be intimidating. Our nervous system naturally tries to protect us from what it perceives as danger, but the anticipation is often worse than the actual experience. It’s in these moments of discomfort that we grow, whether through writing, Pilates, or any other practice.
Whatever you choose to pursue, committing to these first actions becomes a contract with yourself. As you keep going, the repetitions become a way to build habits, find joy, and continue learning. Over time, what once felt daunting can become something you actually really look forward to. For me, that’s been true with both Pilates, writing this blog, as well as pretty much any other endeavour that I felt was worthwhile.
In Conclusion
I really enjoy the parameters of a blog post. It’s a fortnightly (sometimes weekly) habit that I’ve embraced even if at the beginning I was hesitant. These missives have been an opportunity to clarify my thoughts on topics of importance to me and then share my passion with others. I’ve learned so many new things by researching topics of interest and hopefully added the skill of synthesising it all into something quasi cogent.
Whether it actually is your first time reading my blog or your hundredth I’m very excited to see where we go from here - got any ideas for the next 100?
Catch you next time,
xBec
The information contained above is provided for information purposes only. The contents of this blog are not intended to amount to advice and Rebecca Forde disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of this post