What I Learned from 90 Days of Showing Up
Commitment is a very strong motivator. It helped me to push through the highs and lows of this challenge.
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Hello there!
So, it’s been ninety days!
That’s how long I committed to writing and walking every single day. And today, I’m standing at the finish line, both proud of myself and humbled by the journey. I don’t know how to describe what I’ve been through these past 90 days but it was a ride filled with breakthroughs, challenges, and moments of quiet celebration. And now that it’s over, one thing that is clear to me is that this was about so much more than just ticking boxes.
When I started, I thought, How hard could it be? After all, walking and writing are simple activities, right?
Uhmmm…no.
Life has a way of throwing curveballs, and these past three months were no exception. I had to work through packed schedules, unexpected interruptions, moments of exhaustion and self-doubt, and plenty of opportunities to quit. Yet, here I am—proof that when you commit to showing up, even imperfectly, you build something unshakable within yourself.
So, apart from a portfolio of written work, what did I gain through this challenge?
As I reflect on this challenge, here are some lessons that I’m taking away:
Consistency is not about perfection: Some days, my walks were short, and my writing was just a messy paragraph. On other days, I was unstoppable, hitting every goal with ease. But through it all, I learnt that the magic wasn’t in doing it perfectly but in doing it anyway. I felt more proud of myself on the days when I pushed through the feeling of resistance and showed up to write or go for a walk.
Discipline means making space: There were nights when the best I could do was to squeeze in a quick article before bed or find a 15-minute window for a brisk walk. It wasn’t always ideal, but this challenge showed me that discipline is not built during perfect conditions, but on days when you force yourself to work with what you have. Life will rarely bring us perfect days or pockets of time, but when we’re intentional about pursuing something, we can carve out space for the things that matter.
Your goals are yours to define: There were times when I questioned whether these goals were too small to matter. I mean, they are simple goals. Just write something and go for a short walk. But then I realised that when you make a commitment to work on something, the size of the goal doesn’t determine its value in the grand scheme of things, rather it is its significance to you that does. So for me, this challenge symbolised a quest for creativity, health, and self-discipline, and that made it worth every step taken and every word written.
Resilience is built through challenges: As I mentioned earlier, it was the hard days where skipping felt easier that taught me the most. Days like my daughter’s birthday when I had to be present with the family and get some tasks done to make the day special for her were the types of days that were really challenging. And just as life does, it taught me that resilience isn’t built on smooth roads, rather, it’s forged in the difficult moments when you dig deep and push forward despite the temptation to give up being more appealing.
Despite all that, I think that you should challenge yourself.
You should know what it feels like to step outside your comfort zone. Setting a goal, sticking to it, and seeing it through is transformative. And that transformation is not just about what you achieve but about who you become in the process. Everyone needs to experience this feeling at least once a year.
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to start your own challenge, let me be the voice to say you should Start now. It doesn’t have to be anything monumental or flashy. It just has to be meaningful to you. Whether it’s learning a new skill, committing to a healthier lifestyle, or taking steps toward a dream, the act of showing up will change you. Believe me.
So, what’s next?
While this 90-day challenge has come to an end, the habits I’ve built are mine and here to stay. I’ll keep writing, keep walking, and keep challenging myself to grow. I didn’t go on this challenge just to complete a task, I did it to help me become the person I want to be.
To everyone who followed this journey and cheered me on—thank you. Your encouragement carried me through the toughest days, and I hope my story inspires you to start your own. But in starting your own challenge,
Remember that:
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
- Confucius
So give yourself grace as you journey through life and your quest to grow.
Now, it’s your turn. What challenge will you take on? What’s one step you can take today to show up for yourself? Share your stories with me if you can, I’d love to hear how you’re choosing growth and intention in your own life.
Have an exciting week!
Love,
Rae.