Since it’s almost the new year — when people start making resolutions that they will inevitably break by Jan. 15 — I thought instead, we could focus on what we can do TODAY to start living the life we deserve.

As Eleanor Roosevelt said (and we have on the homepage here): “Do one thing every day that scares you.” It’s something I’ve really been thinking about a lot lately, and embracing as much as I can.

So here’s my question to you: Are you holding back doing something you’ve always wanted to do?

My challenge to us: Let’s make a collective effort to stop being afraid to do things simply because we feel we’re not “smart” enough, “thin” enough, “pretty” enough, “funny” enough, “brave” enough, “strong” enough …

Because you ARE enough. Exactly as you are.

Part of my recovery journey the past year and a half has been about just that: self-acceptance … flaws, challenges and all.

It’s meant taking risks, putting myself out there, and opening myself up for rejection and criticism from people I care about.

It’s meant placing myself in uncomfortable situations, and it’s meant being quite vulnerable — trying to find my footing while hundreds of readers a day watch (the overwhelming support has been indescribable).

Yet ultimately, I think that this learned fearlessness (because it’s not innate to me) has made me a better, stronger person. I’ve learned that sometimes we find strength out of necessity.

Anyway, one of my absolute favorite movies is Zach Braff’s genius brainchild, Garden State. As a native Jersey girl, I know all about the terrible stereotypes about my home state.

I also know they’re not all true — and this movie is, like bagels, the shore, malls, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi — part of New Jersey’s pride and joy.

Anyway, one of the songs from the film that haunts me in the most delicious way is about risk-taking. You might know it — “Let Go,” by Frou Frou. (I embedded a video clip in this post for anyone interested).

Here are all the lyrics. I bolded the chorus, my favorite part. I think it speaks volumes.

“let go,” by frou frou

drink up, baby down
mmm, are you in or are you out
leave your things behind
’cause it’s all going off without you
excuse me, too busy you’re writing your tragedy
these mishaps
you bubble wrap
when you’ve no idea what you’re like

so let go, jump in
oh well, whatcha waiting for
it’s alright
’cause there’s beauty in the breakdown
so let go, just get in
oh, it’s so amazing here
it’s alright
’cause there’s beauty in the breakdown

it gains the more it gives
and then it rises with the fall
so hand me that remote
can’t you see that all that stuff’s a sideshow

such boundless pleasure
we’ve no time for later now
you can’t await your own arrival
you’ve 20 seconds to comply

so let go, jump in
oh well, whatcha waiting for
it’s alright
’cause there’s beauty in the breakdown
so let go, just get in
oh, it’s so amazing here
it’s alright
’cause there’s beauty in the breakdown

I can’t hear that song without wanting to challenge myself to try something new; to put my fears aside and jump right in — to whatever that may be at the moment.

Because as the song notes, “it’s all goin off without you” — whether you are sitting on the sidelines or on the field.

So you might as well get up to bat. You might not know what kind of curve-ball life will throw at you, but you have far more to lose sitting out than stepping up to the plate.

How about you? Is there something you’ve been holding back on doing, that you’ve vowed to change? Can you take that risk today, or take the first steps needed to achieve your goal?