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Every Little Thing by April Jeppson

There are days when I wake up and feel like I could conquer the world. I quite literally jump out of bed. And then there are days when I have to remind myself that I’m not in my 20s anymore and, yes, I do need to put on real clothes before I head into work. Those comfy sweatpants will have to wait until the weekend.

It’s on those low-energy, just-get-through-it days, I’m learning the true power of simply showing up.

I had a meeting recently that I absolutely did not want to attend. Not because I didn’t care, but because I was mentally tapped out and had convinced myself that no one would notice if I just bowed out. But I showed up anyway. I brushed my hair, threw on my game face (and by that, I mean mascara), and went. And wouldn’t you know it by the end of that meeting, I felt better than when I walked in.

We know this stuff. Fake it till you make it. You only regret the workout you didn’t do. The actual activity, the meeting, the lunch date, the workout — those aren’t the problem. I enjoy those things. It’s building up the momentum from a dead stop that throws me for a loop.

Imagine trying to push a giant boulder. You know how hard it would be to get it started? But once it begins to roll, the energy builds and it gets easier to keep going. The same goes for us. When we’re out of practice or overwhelmed, even small tasks feel huge. But that rock isn’t going to move itself. You have to give it the first push.

In her book “Daring Greatly,” Brené Brown says, “Courage starts with showing up and letting ourselves be seen.” Sometimes that means speaking up in a meeting. Sometimes it means being the parent who shows up to the band concert after a long day. And sometimes? It’s just making it to work with clean clothes and a halfway positive attitude.

We tend to think we need to be “on” all the time — energized, inspired, ready to impress. I hold myself to a pretty high standard, and I try to be my best self when I’m out and about. Let me tell you, it’s exhausting. I’ve missed more events than I care to admit because I didn’t think I could bring my A-game.

But that’s not real life. Life is messy and tiring and unpredictable. If we wait until we feel ready, we’ll miss out on so many good, important, necessary moments.

Showing up is a habit, and it often leads to feeling better. Momentum creates motivation. Once you’re in the room, you start to engage. Once you begin the project, you realize it’s not as overwhelming as it seemed. And once you walk into the gym, your body remembers, “Oh yeah, we actually like this.” (Eventually.)

I’m not saying we should ignore our needs or push ourselves to burnout. Rest matters. Boundaries matter. But there’s a difference between needing rest and letting resistance run the show. You know the difference.

So here’s a gentle reminder to myself: I don’t have to have it all together. I don’t need perfect conditions. I just need to show up. Because the people who consistently show up, even when it’s hard, are the ones who move forward. Maybe slowly. Maybe awkwardly. But forward, all the same.

Albert Lean April Jeppson is a wife, mom, coach and encourager of dreams. Her column appears every Saturday.