Let Go and Let Grow

Yesterday, my 18-year-old daughter had a close call, a near accident that could have flipped our world entirely upside down. She was an hour away from home with another hour of driving ahead, and I could feel the weight of it all pressing down on me.

We’re getting ready to take her to college for her freshman year in less than a week, and I’ve been doing my best to hold it together. So when she called me, crying and scared, I had to put on my ‘Make it All Better Mama’ cape, even though I was just as shaken.

She went through all the terrifying “what ifs” with me, and I did my best to calm her down. I reminded her that none of those awful scenarios had actually happened. She’d avoided the accident because of her quick thinking—her instincts kicked in, and she made the right moves in a split second. I told her she had every right to feel scared and upset, but the bottom line was that she was safe, and that’s what mattered most.

After she calmed down a bit, I encouraged her to call her dad and her boyfriend to get a little more support. In no time, she was feeling better, and I was breathing a sigh of relief.

But once I hung up the phone, I felt the flood of emotions hit me. I thanked God for keeping her safe, and then I cried. Not just from relief, but from the reality of what we’re stepping into. She’s moving into a new chapter of her life, further from my reach, and the world out there isn’t always kind. It hit me that, as much as I want to protect her, there’s only so much I can control.

And that’s a hard pill to swallow—whether you’re a parent or a business owner who’s working hard to position themselves as an expert in their field. If you’re in the trenches, trying to establish yourself as the go-to in your industry, you probably get what I’m talking about.

You’ve poured everything into this. You’ve sharpened your skills, dialed in your messaging, and put in the hours to build something you’re proud of. But when it’s time to really put yourself out there, to show up as the expert and claim your space, it can feel like stepping into oncoming traffic. You might worry about saying the wrong thing, or that you'll face rejection, or that people won’t take you seriously. And it’s terrifying.

But just like my daughter had to trust her instincts in that split second, you’ve got to trust the work you’ve put in. It’s not just about what you know—it’s about how you show up, how you present yourself, and how much you believe in your own expertise. When you put yourself out there as the expert, you’re not just offering a service or product—you’re putting your reputation, your hard work, and your heart on the line.

And yeah, there will be bumps in the road. Maybe your pitch doesn’t land like you hoped, or that big presentation falls flat, or that social media post doesn’t get the engagement you expected. But when that happens, don’t beat yourself up. Pause, take a breath, and remember that it’s all part of the journey. Things might not always go as planned, but that doesn’t mean they’re not moving you closer to where you need to be.

So feel all of it: the relief when things go right, the frustration when they don’t, and yes, even the tears when it gets overwhelming. Because that’s where your strength lies; in navigating the highs and lows and still showing up, day after day, as the expert you know you are.

And don’t forget, you’re not doing this alone. Just like my daughter leaned on her dad and boyfriend, you’ve got people in your corner who believe in you and your expertise. Lean on them, ask for help when you need it, and trust that you’ve got what it takes to shine.

You’re ready for this, and it’s time to own it.

xo,

KG