*Header Photograph by Bonnie Kittle
I have a confession to make: the idea of building and launching this platform scares the bejeezus out of me.
I’m no therapist, executive coach, or spiritual guru. In fact, I’ve never done anything like this in all my thirty-plus years on the planet…but this idea—The Cozy Rebellion Collective—chose me. The Cozy Rebellion Collective came about because I realized my creativity, softness, and ability to hold space and inspire are superpowers.
Yes, superpowers, and I won’t hear otherwise.
In today’s world, hustling, working yourself to the bone, and following the herd isn’t just the norm—it’s glorified. And for free spirits with spicy brains such as myself, it’s easy to feel like something’s wrong with us because we don’t fit into the mold or because our life doesn’t look like society says it should.
It’s scary to be different. To go your own way.
But you know what’s scarier? Imagining yourself twenty years on, living a good-enough life, but feeling like something’s missing. Like you didn’t shine as brightly as you could, or become the boldest version of yourself.
Couldn’t be me.
So, I acknowledged my fears, took a leap of faith, and now I’m doing things my way.
What I’ve learned throughout this creation process is that fear shows up when you’re onto something—usually right before a meaningful shift that has the potential to change your life as you know it.
Fear is a protection mechanism. It’s a signal that you’re leaving your comfort zone and leaning toward the unknown like a determined sunflower reaching for the sun.
But within that fear is a kernel of excitement—an idea, an invitation, a question—planted in YOUR brain for a reason. Only YOU have the unique set of skills, personality, and voice needed to make this thing happen.
So, try this: acknowledge your fear and thank it for protecting you. Then gently push it to the side—or shove it off a cliff if you’re feeling particularly spicy—and embrace the initial excitement you felt.
Chase the spark—you’re onto something.
