Published August 28, 2025
Here we are, coming to the end of August. Labor Day weekend is around the corner. Where did the summer go? Actually, where did the year go?
Did you have intentions to learn a new skill or try a class this year? Did you want to start a new project but haven’t even planned for it yet? Let me ask you: what are you waiting for?
Maybe it’s the fear of starting something new, the unknown can cause anxiety for many people. I get it, I know how scary that can feel. Perhaps it’s a time constraint, we’re always so busy. I don’t have time to take that art class. Or could it be that we are simply making excuses to justify that we don’t like to venture out of our comfort zone?
Whatever the reason, I am begging that you don’t let it hold you back from trying new things. I want to provide a situation I was in so that you can see a real-life example of how trying something new can turn out to be a wonderful experience!
Now that we are entering the fall season, do you feel the football frenzy surmounting? Let me explain my “new thing” which involved football. Rewind two years, back to August 2023. I had just moved from our house that my husband Matt and I raised our kids in. It was a year after his death. I wasn’t planning to move, but someone had knocked on our door wanting to buy our house because it had a pool. Because moving was nowhere on my mind, it took a lot of work, time, and help/support from friends to make it happen. Packing up a house and moving is no small job, much less when it wasn’t in the plan.
At this point, I was approached by a friend to join a fantasy football league. I thought to myself, “there is no way I can put one more thing on my plate right now.” Keep in mind that although I enjoy watching football, and Matt participated in many leagues and ran one himself, I didn’t know the first thing about fantasy football.
I wanted to immediately say no. The easy thing to do would have been to say no. I didn’t want to learn something new. I was too busy, had other big things of priority (like making sure my youngest son felt supported as he transitioned to being a freshman in high school), on top of unpacking and settling into our new home. Our home without Matt.
Somehow, I said yes. I think God was nudging me. I AM SO GLAD I SAID YES!
With help from my older son Kyle, who answered every last question I had, I got through the draft. Then as the season started, I found myself enjoying it! My youngest child, Jonathan, ended up being my partner. We made changes to our starting lineup together. Anytime we had questions, we didn’t freak out because we knew we could ask Kyle.
Slowly but surely, week by week, I really got into it! The competitive (but healthy!) side of me came out, and it was fun!
GUESS WHAT? I WON THE SEASON! My first go at fantasy football! Who would have ever thought!
It’s now my third season of fantasy football, and I’m so excited for it! I am so glad I didn’t say no two years ago, even though it would have been the easy thing to do. New things can be challenging and can cause discomfort or anxiety, especially when you’re going through a hardship. You’re already having to learn a new life without your loved one, or whatever difficult situation you might be going through, so adding another new thing seems illogical. BUT I am here to tell you that’s exactly what you should do!
You very well may surprise yourself! I sure did. And maybe Matt had something to do with it…I can’t help but think he was smiling up there when I said yes to the league and then won!
With my real-life example, I hope this encourages you to try something new. You can do it! What new things are on your list? Is there something you’re hesitant about? What is holding you back? Message me at inquiry@sincerelyjulie.com or comment below. Also, follow me on Instagram @sincerelyjulie_joyful_living for daily inspiration.