Hey friends, Tina here. Pull up a chair, grab a beverage (preferably something caffeinated or fermented, depending on what kind of day you’re having), and let’s have a real talk session.
I saw a quote today that hit me right in the soul—and also right in my “I wish a person would” attitude. It basically said that you can’t throw my struggles in my face because I’m not ashamed of them. Every time I’ve taken a “step back,” there was a goal behind it.
And man, if that isn’t the theme song for my life right now.
The Pressure of Constant Climbing
We live in this weird world where if you aren’t constantly climbing a vertical ladder, people think you’re falling off the cliff. If you move back into your parents’ place to save money, people whisper. If you quit the high-paying job that was giving you a literal eye twitch to sell handmade candles or go back to school, people give you that “pity tilt” of the head. You know the one.
Being Un-Embarrassable
But here’s the thing about me: I am un-embarrassable. You want to bring up the fact that I’m struggling? Honey, I’ll give you the PowerPoint presentation on it. I’ll show you the spreadsheets. Because what looks like a “struggle” to an outsider is actually just me recalculating the GPS.
Humor Me for a Second: The Slingshot Effect
Think of it like a slingshot. If you want to launch something really far, what do you have to do? You have to pull it back. Far. It looks like you’re going the wrong way, right? If you’re a pebble sitting in that rubber band, you’re probably thinking, “Tina, what are we doing? The target is that way, and we are definitely moving this way.”
The Power of Tension
But that tension? That’s where the power comes from.
I’ve had moments where I’ve had to cut my budget so thin I was basically living on air and vibes. I’ve had moments where I had to say “no” to the girls’ trip because my “step back” required some financial discipline that wasn’t exactly “Instagrammable.” And yeah, in those moments, it’s easy for people to think they have one up on you.
“Oh, poor Tina, she’s really going through it.”
Actually, Tina is fine. Tina is plotting. Tina is resting her wings because she’s about to fly across the damn ocean, not just across the street.
Why Shame Is a Luxury You Can’t Afford
I realized a long time ago that shame is a luxury I can’t afford. It’s heavy, it’s expensive, and it doesn’t pay the bills. When you own your struggle, you take the ammunition right out of people’s hands.
If someone tries to “throw it in my face,” I’m just like, “Yeah, and? It’s character building. I’m currently in the ‘origin story’ phase of my biopic. Catch the sequel in twelve months.”
Defeat vs. Sacrifice
There is a massive difference between being defeated and being in a season of sacrifice.
- Defeat is when you give up on the goal.
- Sacrifice is when you temporarily trade comfort for a future win.
Own Your “Step Back” Phase
So, to anyone reading this who feels like they’re currently in a “step back” phase: Own it. Don’t hide the struggle. Don’t be ashamed that you’re not “there” yet. The fact that you had the guts to step back and realign yourself shows more strength than people who are blindly running in the wrong direction just to look busy.
To the people watching me? Keep watching. Use me as your entertainment if you want. But just know that every time I move backward, I’m just gaining more momentum.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some “struggling” to do—which currently looks like me eating ramen while I finish this business plan. It’s gourmet ramen, though. I put an egg in it. Growth!
Does this resonate with where you are right now? Tell me about your “strategic step back” in the comments—let’s normalize the climb!