Breaking Through Self-Imposed Barriers

Ever have that moment where you realize it’s not life holding you back—it’s you? And the only thing standing between you and progress is, well... the same person who ate an entire tub of ice cream while avoiding their to-do list. Guilty as charged. 😅

When I set my sights on becoming a pole dance coach, I was ready to go all in. But life threw me a few curveballs right when things were getting real. First, I injured my wrist, just as I was gearing up to teach my first students. Then, right before launching my stretching classes, I lost my voice. Yup—life said, “Let’s see how you handle this one.” Not quite the intermission I had planned.

At first, I blamed the setbacks—the wrist, the voice, the timing. But after sitting with it for a while, I realized these weren’t just random obstacles—they were signs that I had deeper work to do.The injuries weren’t just physical obstacles—they mirrored the doubts and fears I had yet to face.

Have you ever felt like life was testing you right before you were about to level up? Like, just when things are starting to align, something throws you off track and you begin to wonder: Is this really meant for me?

The real fear for me was this: What’s going to hit me next? What if something derails me just before I take on my first life coaching client? That’s when the self-doubt crept in. And I had to face it: It wasn’t the wrist, the lost voice, or some external challenge holding me back—it was me. My inner resistance was the loudest obstacle, and I needed to confront it if I was going to fully step into coaching.

What are the stories you tell yourself that keep you stuck? Are there fears or old beliefs whispering, “You’re not ready,” or “What if it doesn’t work?”

So, I coached myself. Instead of pushing through, I paused. I sat with the fear, the frustration, and that nagging voice saying, Maybe this isn’t your time. Slowly, breath by breath, I began to release those inner barriers.

By the way, a similar moment of overcoming fear happened during my Ayesha milestone—catch the story here:

From Fear to Freedom: My Ayesha Moment and What It Taught Me About Life

It wasn’t easy—it felt like pushing a boulder uphill. And spoiler: That boulder is usually just my own resistance to change. But I kept going. I reminded myself that progress is simply continuing to show up, noticing small moments of growth, and moving forward, even when it feels uncertain.

If this hits home—if you’re also wrestling with invisible barriers—know that it’s okay to slow down. What if the real trick isn’t to bulldoze through obstacles, but to acknowledge them, sit with them, and then gently let them go?

Obstacles might try to sneak back in (brains are sneaky like that), but that’s where grounding tools—and a good sense of humor—come in handy.

Breaking through self-imposed barriers means recognizing every small step forward, cheering yourself on, and valuing the process just as much as the outcome.

Let’s Reflect Together:
What’s one story you’ve been telling yourself that’s holding you back? If you paused and let go of perfection for a moment, what small step could you take today?

These questions aren't easy, but they're where true shifts begin. I’d love to hear what’s coming up for you—whether in the comments, a message, or during one of our sessions. Let’s explore these obstacles and see what shifts when we stop fighting them and start working with them.

Pats,
Anya 🫰🏽

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Muah! 😘