When our daughter who has Down syndrome turned 18, I felt completely overwhelmed. Those months were filled with Social Security questions. Paperwork. The unknown. It all felt like too much.
And I know I’m not alone. For many of us, the weight of everyday responsibilities can feel crushing—and when you layer disability into that, it can quickly feel impossible.
So the question is: How do we hold onto hope in a manageable way? How do we believe, in the midst of messy, day-to-day life, that there’s a good future ahead for our families?
Here’s what I’ve discovered: You don’t need the next 1,700 steps. You just need one next step.
As my friend Katherine Wolf reminded me, even something that feels overwhelming—like writing a book—works this way. You don’t write 300 pages in a day. You open your laptop. You set a 10-minute timer. You type one word, then another. That’s it. You just do the next thing.
So many challenges in life are best approached one step at a time. Do the one next thing. Make one call. Send one email. Prep one meal. Complete one evaluation. Sometimes the one next step is simply to say: “I’m overwhelmed. I don’t know what to do.” Talking it through with a trusted friend has often helped me sort through the chaos in my head.
One word can become a book. One call can grow into a support system. One step can create space for hope.
When life feels overwhelming, don’t look for 100 steps. Just ask yourself: What’s one thing I can do today?
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There’s more! “Don’t Wait to Celebrate: Disability and Delight with Katherine Wolf” is live now on Take the Next Step!
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