I Said ‘I Will’ and It Changed Everything (Why Most People Stay Stuck)

I went from thinking about freelancing to actually freelancing after one mindset shift.

I couldn’t believe how simple it was. Let me give you the cheat code so you don’t waste a year overthinking like I did.

The Lie We Tell Ourselves

For months, I told myself:

“I could start freelancing someday.”

It felt safe. Flexible. Non-committal.

But here’s the problem: “I could” is a slippery little phrase. It sounds powerful, but it’s not. It’s a loophole your brain uses to stay exactly where you are.

One day, I flipped the script.
I said:

“I will.”

Two words. Total shift. Will feels heavier. Stickier. You can’t wiggle out of it.

The Tiny Actions That Changed Everything

Here’s what happened next:

• I created my Upwork account.
• Paid for Freelancer Plus.
• Bought my first domain and hosting.

Sounds small, right? But that’s how momentum works. You start with tiny, scary steps, and suddenly it feels real.

For the first time in ages, I felt… free.

The Fear Came Anyway

After setting up my profile, I started scrolling job listings.

The fear showed up fast.

Am I skilled enough?
Do I even belong here?

Everyone looked ten steps ahead. My confidence dipped.

And then I remembered something from Mark Manson’s The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*:

“Fear isn’t proof you’re not ready. It’s proof you care.”

That hit.

So I took a breath and applied for two jobs.

Spoiler: It Wasn’t That Scary

The world didn’t explode.
No one laughed at me.
I didn’t get rejected (yet).

It felt… normal.

That’s the thing about scary leaps—they shrink the second you jump.

Why You Should Stop Saying “I Could”

If you’ve been standing on the edge, here’s the uncomfortable truth:

“I could” keeps you comfortable.
“I will” gets you moving.

Pick one.

Your Turn

What’s the thing you’ve been putting off?
The blog?
The business?
The Upwork account?

Say “I will.” Do the thing.
The leap isn’t as big as you think.