On Monday I posed a simple but powerful question to my social media followers:

“What would you attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail?”

And after sitting with my own answer a bit longer than I expected (picture me staring out the window like I’m in a dramatic movie montage), I landed on one very honest conclusion: relationships.

Now, if you know me, you know I’ve always had a double-edged-sword kind of relationship… with relationships. People either absolutely love me or they absolutely do not—and for years I genuinely couldn’t understand the “do not.” Because honestly… what’s not to love? I mean really.

But in all seriousness, realizing that you might unknowingly rub people the wrong way is emotionally jarring. When you’ve spent most of your life in service to others—supporting, leading, encouraging—you don’t expect to leave anyone feeling uncomfortable or annoyed. Yet somehow I did. And that sent me into years (too many years, if we’re being real) of internalizing, overthinking, replaying conversations like a detective looking for clues I never actually found.

It was exhausting, discouraging, and nearly drove me a little mad for a while there.

But through a lot of coaching, intentional solitude, and the unwavering love of the people who reallysee me, I finally arrived at a place of peace:

I’m not everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s okay.

(I prefer to think I’m an acquired taste—like matcha or artisan sourdough.)

Even still, as humans, we’re wired for connection. We’re pack animals at our core, even those of us who proudly identify as independent warriors who enjoy people… but don’t necessarily needthem to survive. Relationships have always been a bonus for me—not the foundation.

But if I were guaranteed not to fail?

Relationships are absolutely what I’d try again and again.

Because at the end of the day, no matter how self-sufficient we are or how “lone wolf but friendly” our vibe may be… this world survives on connection. On belonging. On letting ourselves be seen, even when it feels risky.

And that, I suppose, is the thing I’d always be willing to attempt—failure-free guarantee or not.

Fondly,

Coach Carol

P.S. If you haven’t already, take a moment to sit with and ponder this question for yourself and if you are interested in exploring more about yourself follow me on Facebook LeadWhole Coaching’s Wellbeing & Wholeness Market and on Instagram (@coachcarolleadwhole)!

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