Stop Waiting for the Ball to Drop: Life Is Happening Right Now
- Tim Thürnau
- Jan 4
- 4 min read
The boldest lie we tell ourselves? That life hasn’t started yet.
Hello friend,
We cling to this comforting myth: “One day, when everything’s in place, I’ll finally start living the life I want.” Sound familiar? It’s the promise we make to ourselves every New Year’s Eve, tucked into resolutions and good intentions. But here’s the truth: waiting is a trap. Life isn’t on hold—it’s already happening. Right now.
And if I’m being honest? I struggle with this too. I’ve had plenty of moments where I’ve caught myself waiting—waiting for the perfect time, the perfect project, the perfect version of me. But here’s the thing: starting this newsletter and podcast was my decision to stop waiting. It wasn’t perfect. I wasn’t perfect. But I chose to take action, to make the life I wanted real instead of waiting for it to magically appear.
So, as we stand on the brink of a new year, let me remind you (and myself): the life you want doesn’t start tomorrow, next week, or next year. It starts now.
The Myth of Someday
Marie-Louise von Franz called it the “provisional life”—this idea that our real life is just around the corner. We tell ourselves:
“After I hit this milestone, I’ll focus on what matters.”
“Once I’m settled, I’ll start working on my dreams.”
“When the new year comes, I’ll finally be the person I want to be.”
But this mindset is a trap. It keeps us in a perpetual prelude, rushing through today in the hope that tomorrow will bring something better. Gurwinder Bhogal puts it bluntly: “The prelude you rushed through was in fact the one to your death.”Waiting isn’t just wasting time—it’s wasting life.
The Problem With Waiting
I know the feeling all too well. You look back on a week, a month, even a year, and think: What did I really do with my time? You know you were busy, but you can’t quite remember living. That’s the danger of waiting—it turns into a habit. One day you’re putting off a phone call, and the next you’re putting off your dreams.
But here’s the thing: life doesn’t wait. And the moments you’re rushing through now? One day, you’ll look back and realize these were the golden years—the messy, imperfect, beautiful moments you didn’t fully appreciate.
Why New Year’s Resolutions Aren’t the Answer
Every New Year’s Eve, we make resolutions as if the calendar holds some kind of magic. But here’s the hard truth: January 1st won’t change your life. If you couldn’t start on December 31st, you won’t magically find the willpower on January 1st.
The problem isn’t the date; it’s the waiting. Waiting for the perfect time, the perfect version of you. Waiting until the fear of failure feels smaller. But life doesn’t get easier by waiting. It gets smaller.
A Personal Note
When I started this podcast and newsletter, I wasn’t ready. I doubted myself. I wasn’t sure if anyone would care about what I had to say. But I realized something important: I couldn’t wait to feel ready, because I might never feel ready.The only way to create the life I wanted was to start, flaws and all.
Was it scary? Absolutely. But every step I’ve taken since has been proof that action—not waiting—is what creates momentum. And if I can do it, so can you.
Living Fully Starts Now
So, how do we stop waiting and start living? Here are a few small but powerful steps:
Start Before You’re Ready
Whatever you’re dreaming of—whether it’s a project, a trip, or a conversation—take one small step today. Not tomorrow. Today.
Appreciate the Moment
Stop rushing through the present to get to some imagined future. Take a moment to look around tonight. The laughter, the people, the tiny joys—this is life.
Let Go of Perfection
Life is messy. So start messy. You don’t need everything to align before you take action. Progress beats perfection every time.
How to Wing It: Pick one thing you’ve been waiting to start—a call, a hobby, a dream. Do something about it today. Not Monday. Not next week. Today.
Final Thoughts: Don’t Wait for the Ball to Drop
As we count down to midnight tonight, remember this: the life you want isn’t waiting for a new year. It’s already here. The question is whether you’re ready to step into it.
So, let this be the year you stop waiting. Start before you’re ready. Embrace the messy, beautiful, unpredictable reality of life. And when you look back, you’ll know these moments—right now—are the ones that mattered.
Happy New Year, my friend. Let’s make it a great one. 🥂✨
Bridging Worlds
If you want to see me wing it, I do a podcast with cool people. You should subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube.
This week on Bridging Worlds, I had the pleasure of speaking with Laura Simon, a visionary artist and the creator of the graphic novel Fabric of Life. Laura’s journey is deeply rooted in self-discovery and the belief that creativity can be a profound tool for healing and transformation.
One of the standout moments?
"The only way to truly connect with life is by allowing yourself to feel deeply—even the uncomfortable emotions lead to growth."
In this episode, Laura shares:
How creativity can help resolve inner conflicts and uncover your authentic self.
Why embracing vulnerability is key to personal growth.
Practical tips to create small moments of stillness and reconnect with yourself.
Personally, I found Laura’s story incredibly inspiring—her perspective on art as a bridge between the inner and outer world offers a fresh way to think about creativity.
🎧 Don’t miss this inspiring episode with Laura Simon—now available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Keep winging it, and I’ll see you in the next one.
Big love,
Tim