Between Intention and Action  

Do we often find ourselves stuck between intention and action?  
 
There’s often a quiet space we find ourselves caught in, that tender stretch between intention and inertia. It’s the space where our hearts whisper, “I want to begin,” but our bodies, burdened with old memories, whisper back, “Not yet.” I’ve been thinking about how this contradiction can coexist so seamlessly, this yearning to move forward and the simultaneous instinct to retreat. It’s not laziness or lack of willpower. 

It’s our nervous system doing what it does best and that is protecting us. For many of us, our hesitation is not resistance to growth but a reverence for safety. Our bodies remember what it felt like to try and fall, to risk and hurt, and so they build gentle walls to keep us from danger, even if that danger now looks like trying something new. 

I felt this recently while writing these newsletters. For weeks, I circled around the idea; brainstorming, doubting, rewriting. I had every intention to send it out yet found myself paralyzed by the smallest details. The mind said, “You should,” but the body said, “Wait.” And then something shifted, not because I silenced the anxiety, but because I acknowledged it. I told myself, “Of course, this feels hard. You care about this.”

That one act of compassion softened the tension. I didn’t feel suddenly fearless, but I felt safe enough to take one small step forward. And sometimes, safe enough is all the courage we need. 

Taking the first step isn’t about erasing fear, it’s about making space for it. It’s about understanding that anxiety is not the enemy; it’s a signal. It’s your body asking for reassurance, grounding, and care before it can move. So, when that familiar restlessness rises.

The racing heart, the overthinking, the tightening in your chest? Try not to fight it. Pause. Listen. Offer yourself what you need in that moment: a breath, a sip of water, a stretch, a comforting word or something your body and mind needs!  

Let your body know that you’re not forcing it into action, you’re inviting it to join you. The mind may crave momentum, but the body needs gentleness. When both move together, that’s when change becomes sustainable. So maybe your first step isn’t grand or visible. 

Maybe it’s a small intention like opening the document, making the list, whispering a quiet yes to something that once scared you. It’s okay if it’s imperfect. It’s okay if it’s quiet. Every act of beginning, no matter how small, is a rebellion against inertia. And perhaps that’s where healing truly lives, not in rushing forward, but in learning to take gentle, deliberate steps that honor both your fear and your hope. 

So if you’re standing somewhere between intention and inertia today, I hope you remember that you’re not stuck. You’re simply gathering the safety to begin and that’s absolutely okay.  

We are here to support you through life’s journeys and anything you maybe suffering with, reach out to us for affordable inclusive and safe support!  

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