superpowers

It was well over a year ago that I had a conversation with a friend and coworker, talking about superpowers. The question was, “What do you think your superpower is? What’s something that comes naturally to you that others seem to struggle with?”

His superpower was curiosity, which felt accurate. He’s a great listener, seems to always asks meaningful follow up questions. He remembers prior conversations. He’s genuine and thoughtful. He’s one of those guys that everyone likes. And I’m sure that’s partially because they feel seen by him.

My superpower was that I’m not afraid to start over. I don’t get stuck in the fear that comes with walking away from something comfortable into the uncertainty of an unknown future. I experience the emotions of fear and attachment, then choose to move forward anyway. I’ve walked away from friendships that felt off. I’ve moved across the country multiple times. I’ve left jobs without having something else lined up. I’m willing to sell nearly everything I own.

To some people that might be a red flag. To those who play it safe or develop strong attachments, it might signal recklessness. Or maybe that I’m a quitter. What they don’t see is the clear conscience. They don’t see the planning or discipline that got my wife and me to a place where we are unburdened by things that paralyze others. We’ve lived without, we’ve followed frameworks, we’ve made conscious financial choices.

There is also a confidence that develops over time when you realize you’re reasonably skilled at figuring things out. But more than anything, when you know who you are, what you want, and what things are nonnegotiable, starting over is easy.

To quote Sam Harris, “We're always free to just begin again.”