A little over a month ago, I decided to participate in my first 30 day Bikram Yoga challenge. Bikram is the type of hot yoga where it's 105° and you practice the same flow of 26 postures each time. Keeping myself fit is super important to me, especially since I spend the majority of my week sitting behind a computer. Nothing seems to help relieve my back and shoulder pain quite like Bikram does. Beyond that, the meditation element leaves me feeling tired yet energized—excited yet calm. Needless to say, I'm hooked.

A 30 day challenge was a huge commitment for me. It was far from easy showing up day after day. But I really wanted it and I wouldn't allow myself to think that I couldn't do it. I just showed up one day, and then the next. It wasn't about dropping everything to religiously do 30 days of yoga. It was about integrating the yoga into my life (not the other way around) and showing up in the best way I could whenever I could. 30 days later, I consider this a serious personal breakthrough.

My Year of Breakthroughs

For me, 2016 has been a year of breakthroughs and 30 days of yoga is just one of them. Blogging weekly was a big one for me, as was taking the leap to start my business. It's not because I have magic powers or unfathomable talents that these things were possible for me. It's because I got sick of living my life in the shadows. I wasn't unhappy, but I wasn't overjoyed either and I want a joy-filled life. I wanted it bad enough, and dared to ask “why not me?” Most importantly, I stepped out from where I felt comfortable and I went for it.

Sure, it's downright terrifying to journey out into the unknown. But if you're not overjoyed with your current circumstances, I say it's worth the risk. I've been thinking a lot lately on what it takes to create your own breakthroughs and after some serious self reflection, I've realized these steps have been key for me. I hope they can bring some clarity to your own path and help you take that essential next step.