I thought to myself, Wait a minute, I can feel horrible and still do what I need to do? Yes, Mel, you can. And it worked. In those five seconds, I had interrupted the cycle of overthinking. It felt like a small victory, but it was also a revelation. If I could push through those five seconds of fear, maybe I could push through anything.

The problem with waiting is no one is coming. The only permission you need is your own.

Thinking about your problems will never solve them. Waiting around to feel like doing something means you’ll never do it.

In Stoicism, the focus is on controlling your own thoughts and actions—not the thoughts or actions of others.

The problem isn’t you. The problem is the power you unknowingly give to other people.