New Beginnings

There is something beautiful about a new beginning. Not because everything suddenly becomes easy or because all the answers magically appear.

But because at some point, you decide to trust the future more than your fears.

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about a simple question:

What will my future self be thankful for?

And the answer surprised me.

I don’t think she will be thankful that I worked harder. I don’t think she will be thankful that I tried to make everyone happy as I unlearned people pleasing.🙃

I think she will be thankful that I chose me.

Not the version shaped by other people’s expectations or what I should do with my life.

The woman God created me to be.

And maybe that is a question worth asking yourself too:

How much of your life are you living because it feels true to you?

And how much of it is based on who others expected you to become?

One of the biggest lessons I am learning right now is that everything has its season.

Some seasons are for planting.

Some seasons are for growing.

Some seasons are for fun and harvesting.

And wisdom is knowing the difference.

For a long time I thought progress meant doing more. Now I believe progress often means focusing more.

One thing at a time. Build it well! Choose well.

Then move to the next thing, level up. As life can feel like a game sometimes. You will be tested to see if you are ready for the next “level”. It fascinates me.

There is so much power in that.

I believe my future self will be thankful for the patience I am learning today.

For the faith I am building today and for the discipline I am practicing everyday. I know, discipline needs some more practice 🙈

Because these are the things that will shape the next version of BYOU.

Sometimes people ask me what I would create if there were no limitations.

The answer is simple.

I would create a world where everyone has access to care.

A world where support, wellbeing, growth, beauty, health and human connection are available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.

A world where people can receive help when they need it.

And where experts are still paid well for their gifts, because those who dedicate their lives to helping others deserve to thrive too.

I believe we can create systems that bring people together instead of pushing them apart.

And I believe foundations can help make that possible.

That is why I believe so deeply in BYOU.

One year from now, I hope young students are talking about mental health differently.

Not only as something you discuss when life falls apart. Because mental health is not only talking to a therapist.

Mental health is how you live.

And if everything turns out better than I could ever imagine, then maybe something even bigger happens.

Maybe people begin to remember who they truly are. Created in the image of God. Perfect and loved.

This is a new beginning.

For me.

For BYOU.

And maybe, if you are reading this at exactly the right moment, it can be a new beginning for you too.

Because your future is not created by everybody else’s expectations.

It is created by the choices you make today.

Choose wisely.

Choose courageously.

And above all else,

choose YOU.

With love,

Danique Motzheim

Founder, BYOU