Confronting the Sh*t That Holds Us Back

Lost In The Algorithms — Odyssey # 43

At 1:57 p.m., on a March afternoon, I plunged into the ice-cold waters of a mountain stream. I’ve plunged into cold waters before, but nothing prepares you for the paralyzing grip of fear and anxiety when you throw yourself into the waters of New Hampshire in March.

That cold plunge wasn’t just about toughness but an internal calling to a life filled with risky paths and hidden truths.

Nature’s raw and unforgiving beauty has always been where I face myself, where my deepest insights and darkest fears surface. Despite knowing I was safe, the rushing waters of the White Mountains mirrored the currents of my life. There I was, exposed in nature’s rawest form, while my mask of toughness dissolved into the icy flow.

We all have dark fears and secrets.

For me? It’s that nagging voice crawling along my back and whispering in my ear that I’m never enough. These secrets linger like shadows, some deep and dark, others just minor details. But each one follows me, adding weight to my steps through this chaotic dance of life.

Avoiding these truths? Piece of cake. Holding onto them, though? That’s where magic fucking happens. Ignore them; they’ll start eating away at you, leaving nothing but a mess of…