When “I Can’t” Shows Up
When “I Can’t” Shows Up
Momentum often starts small.
sent by Krystal Chryssomallis | March 30, 2026
”If something feels hard to start, it just means the first step isn't small enough.”
Hi Friend,
My grandmother used to say, if something feels hard to start, it just means the first step isn't small enough.
Whenever I get overwhelmed, or I have to start something new, or I’m exhausted and my mind goes to: I can’t do that!, I hear her guiding me in the back of my mind.
Sometimes, even in my own writing, when I sit down to write an article, my mind can be like, I can’t do that.
So I’ve learned to notice it and acknowledge, okay… I’m in an “I can’t” mode.
And when something feels too hard, I just hear her voice again.
It just means the first step isn’t small enough.
So I make it smaller.
Instead of thinking I need to write the entire article, I’ll tell myself — okay, just write for 15 minutes.
And sometimes even that feels like too much.
I’m exhausted or I don’t have enough time.
So I make it smaller again.
Okay, one paragraph.
Sometimes, it’s still I can’t.
So I make it smaller again.
One sentence.
Still feels hard.
So if I have to, Ill go all the way down to: just write one word.
Well… of course I can write one word. That is very actionable and it gets me started.
—
We often overestimate what we can get done in a week, and underestimate what we can get done in a year.
Little bits, done consistently, have a way of surprising you.
The time is going to pass anyway, so you might as well begin.
—
Over time, I started to understand what was happening.
Our brains do a very good job of keeping us safe.
And safe usually means familiar.
So when you try to grow, learn something new, or take on something that feels big, judgment comes online.
You can’t do that.
That’s not good enough.
You should have started years ago.
This is too much for you.
All of these thoughts show up to keep you in the familiar — in the status quo.
To keep you safe.
But once I started recognizing what was happening, something shifted.
Every time I took a small step forward, I was teaching my brain that it was safe.
That I could move in a different direction.
That I can do hard things.
Little by little, new neural pathways begin to form.
And what once felt difficult starts to feel more natural.
—
If I look at the entire mountain in front of me, it’s very easy to get overwhelmed.
A health challenge.
A financial goal.
A work project.
A difficult conversation.
A creative idea.
Any of it can feel like too much. And it’s hard to even know where to start. So before the overwhelm kicks in, just remember:
If something feels hard to start,
it just means that the first step isn’t small enough.”
With love,
Krystal ♥️
—
PS. I read every message and enjoy hearing from you. If something from this Dose resonated, you’re welcome to reply 🌿
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