Growth Beyond Obstacles

Your Journey Matters

Have you ever found yourself wondering if you’re ever going to “arrive”? Maybe you’ve felt overwhelmed by your own life—spinning so many plates that you’re sure one is about to come crashing down. Or maybe you’re standing at the starting line, unsure if you have what it takes to begin.

Let me start by telling you something I wish someone had told me sooner: Your journey matters. The world doesn’t need you to be perfect; it needs you to show up, as you are, and take the next step. If you’re reading this, it means you’re either about to start your journey or you’re somewhere in the thick of it—either way, you’re exactly where you need to be.

I’m Kaylee, and this is not a story about having it all together. It’s about choosing not to give up—over and over again. I work a full-time job, juggle two part-time gigs, and am just one year away from completing my MBA. My days are often a blur of Zoom calls, emails, and coursework. Yet in the middle of this whirlwind, I prioritize my health, both physical and emotional. I get up and move every day—sometimes outside, sometimes on my walking pad at my desk, but always with intention.

I fit in three workouts a week (even if it means squeezing them in at weird hours). I make time for my family and friends. And I still have days where I want to throw in the towel.

The truth is, life never slows down for any of us. We have to choose to keep moving, even when it’s hard. In this post, I’ll share my real story—not just the highlight reel, but the messy, gritty, and honest journey that’s gotten me here. And I hope, by the end, you’ll feel inspired to start or keep going on your own journey—because your life only stops when you do.

The Myth of the “Perfect Time”

Let’s get one thing straight: there is no perfect time to begin.

If I had waited for life to calm down before starting my weight loss journey, applying for my MBA, or taking control of my well-being, I’d still be sitting on the sidelines, wishing for a someday that never comes. That’s the trick our brains play—we convince ourselves, “I’ll start next Monday,” or “Once work is less busy,” or “After I graduate/lose weight/get a new job/etc.”

But here’s the hard truth: Life never slows down. There’s always something. A work deadline. Family drama. A sick pet. Bills to pay. It’s so easy to put your dreams on the back burner, thinking you’ll get to them “later.”

But “later” rarely comes.

I had to learn that I could either keep waiting for the perfect time, or I could start imperfectly. I started small. I committed to walking on my lunch break. Swapping out one meal for a healthier option. Signing up for one MBA class at a time, even if I was scared I’d fall behind.

What I found is that action breeds motivation—not the other way around. The more I moved, the more confident I felt. The more steps I took (literally and figuratively), the more momentum I built. Every little victory built on itself.

Don’t let the myth of the “perfect time” steal another year from you. Start messy. Start small. Start scared. But start. Because once you do, you’ll realize how much you’re capable of—even on your busiest days.

Balancing Act: Juggling Work, School, and Life

When people hear about my schedule, they usually give me a look that’s equal parts admiration and disbelief: “How do you do it all?”

The honest answer is: I don’t do it all. I do what matters most each day.

Let me paint a picture of a typical week: I’m up by 6:30am. I clock in for my full-time job. In between calls or tasks, I’m walking at my desk, trying to get in steps. By the time I’m off, I might have a shift for one of my part-time jobs, or a class session for my MBA. Evenings are a mix of homework, meal prep, and (if I’m lucky) a workout or a walk outside.

Some days, I crush my to-do list. Other days, I barely scrape by. There are nights when I stay up past midnight just to finish an assignment. There are weekends when I trade brunch for a long walk or a grocery run.

I used to beat myself up on the days I couldn’t get everything done. Now I know that balance is about presence, not perfection. It’s about being where your feet are—giving what you can to what matters most in that moment.

It also means asking for help when you need it. I’ve learned to lean on my fiancé, family, and friends when things get overwhelming. I’ve learned to say no to things that drain me, so I can say yes to things that matter.

Most importantly, I’ve learned that balance isn’t about having equal time for everything—it’s about intentionally making space for the things that fill you up, even in the busiest seasons.

Moving Even When Life Doesn’t Slow Down

The truth is, movement saves me—especially on the days I’m most exhausted.

Some days are total chaos. I’ll be knee-deep in customer calls, my inbox overflowing, a paper due that night. The temptation to crash on the couch and scroll TikTok is real. But I promised myself I would move every day, no matter what. Not for a number on the scale or someone else’s approval, but for me.

Movement doesn’t have to be dramatic. Most days, it isn’t. Sometimes, it’s just a walk around the block after dinner. Other days, it’s steps clocked on my walking pad between Zoom calls. On weekends, maybe it’s a strength workout or a hike if the weather is right.

What matters is consistency. I show up for myself, even when the rest of the world is asking for more than I feel I can give.

And here’s the magic: on the days I want to move least, I need it most. Five minutes turns into ten. Ten turns into a walk around the neighborhood. Before I know it, I’m more energized, less anxious, and—most importantly—proud of myself.

You don’t have to run marathons to be a mover. You just have to keep moving.

Walking My Way to Wellness: The Power of 10,000 Steps

After I had weight loss surgery, the idea of going back to a “normal” life felt overwhelming. My energy was all over the place. My body was changing faster than I could process. I needed something simple and grounding—something I could control, no matter what life threw at me.

That’s when I found the power of walking.

I set a goal: 10,000 steps a day. It sounds like a lot. But I didn’t start there. At first, it was 3,000. Then 5,000. Slowly, as my stamina grew, so did my confidence.

Here’s what walking did for me:

It gave me structure. Every day, I had a non-negotiable commitment to myself. It boosted my mood. Even on rough days, a walk outside helped clear my head. It helped me see progress. Step by step, day by day, I could literally see my journey unfolding on my fitness tracker.

On busy workdays, I’d walk in place at my desk, or pace during phone calls. If the weather was nice, I’d grab my sneakers and take it outside. If not, my walking pad became my best friend.

Over time, walking became a form of self-care. It wasn’t about burning calories; it was about showing myself that I was worth the effort—every single day.

Finding Time for Fitness: Three Workouts a Week

I get it—when your calendar is packed, finding time to work out can feel impossible. But here’s the thing: I make time for my workouts, because I know I’m a better version of myself when I do.

My approach to fitness is flexible. Some weeks, my workouts are 20-minute HIIT sessions in my living room. Other weeks, it’s a mix of strength training, yoga, or long walks. The key is scheduling it like any other non-negotiable appointment.

I block out three days a week—sometimes it’s before sunrise, sometimes late at night. I plan ahead, lay out my clothes, and treat it like the important meeting it is.

Do I skip sometimes? Sure. Life happens. But I always come back, because I’ve learned that consistency, not intensity, is what changes you.

Here’s what helps me stick with it:

Accountability: Sometimes, I’ll text a friend that I finished a workout, or post a sweaty selfie to my story. Progress tracking: Keeping a log—whether it’s a fitness app, planner, or just a note in my phone—reminds me how far I’ve come. Grace: On tough weeks, I remind myself that movement is a gift, not a punishment. If I have to scale back, that’s okay.

The best workout is the one you can keep coming back to, no matter how busy your life gets.

Making Room for Relationships: Family and Friends Matter

No matter how busy I am, my people keep me grounded. My fiancé, my family, my close friends—they’re the ones who remind me why I work so hard in the first place.

But let’s be real: when you’re working multiple jobs and going to school, social time can be the first thing to go. There have been weeks where I felt like I was letting everyone down because I couldn’t show up for every birthday, event, or dinner.

I’ve learned that quality beats quantity. Even if it’s just a phone call on my lunch break or a walk with my fiancé after dinner, I try to be intentional with the time I have.

Sometimes, making room for relationships means getting creative:

Planning study dates with friends in similar programs Having dinner with family, even if it’s takeout on a Tuesday Sending “thinking of you” texts when I can’t be there in person

The people who love you will understand when you’re hustling for your future. They’ll cheer you on and celebrate every win—big or small. Let them.

The Reality: Some Days Are Harder Than Others

Here’s what nobody tells you about chasing your goals: Some days will break you.

There are days I want to quit—days when the emails won’t stop, when the scale doesn’t move, when the assignment feels impossible. There are days I cry in my car or skip a workout because I just can’t do one more thing.

That doesn’t make me weak. It makes me human.

The truth is, you don’t have to be perfect to make progress. You just have to keep going. On the hardest days, I remind myself that I’ve survived 100% of my worst days so far. That’s not nothing.

I’ve learned to give myself grace. To rest when I need to. To celebrate tiny wins, even if they look like showing up and doing the bare minimum. Every step forward counts.

And on the days I want to quit, I think about the version of me who started this journey. She deserves to see what’s possible.

Why Consistency Beats Perfection

If you take nothing else from this post, let it be this: Consistency is everything.

You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to do it perfectly. But you do have to keep showing up.

Perfection is the enemy of progress. I’ve wasted so much time waiting for the “right” circumstances, trying to be “on” all the time, beating myself up over missed workouts or bad food choices.

But the truth is, it’s not about one good day or one bad day—it’s about what you do most of the time. If you’re showing up for yourself, even 70% of the time, that adds up.

I built my progress on small, consistent actions:

A walk every day, even if it’s only 10 minutes Logging into class, even when I’m tired Making healthier choices, one meal at a time

The little things, done over and over, add up to big changes.

If you take away anything from my story, let it be this: You are so much stronger than you know. You don’t have to wait for your life to calm down, for your schedule to be empty, or for motivation to magically appear.

Your Life Only Stops When You Do

Life will always throw curveballs. Work will get busy. Family emergencies will happen. The weather will turn, your motivation will dip, someone will need you when you feel like you have nothing left to give.

The only thing you control is whether you keep moving.

That doesn’t mean pushing through exhaustion or never resting. It means refusing to let setbacks stop you for good. Rest, regroup, and then get back up.

You are the author of your story. Your life only stops when you do. As long as you’re willing to take another step—even a tiny one—you’re still in the game.

Practical Tips to Start—or Restart—Your Journey

If you’ve read this far, you’re probably ready to make a change—or to recommit to the journey you’ve already started. Here are some practical tips that helped me:

1. Start Small: Don’t overwhelm yourself with huge goals. Focus on what you can do today—a five-minute walk, a healthy snack, reading one page for class.

2. Schedule Your Priorities: Treat your walks, workouts, and study time like important appointments. Put them on your calendar.

3. Use Technology: Fitness trackers, calendar apps, and meal planning tools can help you stay organized and motivated.

4. Find Your Support Crew: Lean on family, friends, or online communities. Share your goals and celebrate each other’s wins. If you are needing an online community contact https://desiretooinspire.com/

5. Give Yourself Grace: Progress is not linear. There will be setbacks. Forgive yourself, learn, and keep going.

6. Celebrate Your Wins: Every step counts. Keep a journal or photo log to look back on how far you’ve come.

7. Make It Enjoyable: Choose activities you actually like—whether it’s dancing, walking, swimming, or yoga.

Remember: Starting is the hardest part. Once you take the first step, the next one gets a little bit easier.

Final Thoughts: You’re Capable of More Than You Think

You just have to start. And then, you have to keep going.

There will be days when you crush it—and days when you barely show up. Both are valid. Both are part of the process.

What matters is that you don’t give up. Because every step you take, every small choice you make, is building a life you’re proud of.

So whether you’re starting your journey today, or picking yourself up to try again, know that you’re not alone. We’re all in this together, fighting for progress, for joy, for a life that feels good from the inside out.

Your journey is yours. Make it count. Keep moving forward.

If you made it to the end—thank you for sharing this space with me. If this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your story in the comments or connect on social media. Remember: your journey matters, and it’s never too late to begin.

Until next time,

Kaylee Ann