Nadine J Walters – My Life

Question for myself: How do you keep going?

My answer:
How do I not keep going?

First, let me define what “keep going” means to me. It can be literal—putting one foot in front of the other on a walk, run, or hike. But more often, it means simply moving through my day, getting done what needs to get done. It’s not about heroic effort; it’s about presence and persistence.

Then I ask: Why? Why keep going? Why not stop—lie down by the side of the road, stay in bed, quit trying so hard?

Honestly, I don’t think giving up is in my DNA. From the outside, it might look like surrender would be easier. But in reality, giving up would take more effort than carrying on. It would mean breaking something essential in myself.

I realize this might sound heavy or even a little bleak. But I’m not depressed—I’m simply curious. I found myself wondering: if I did decide to stop—if I didn’t get out of bed, if I stopped making sure everything ran smoothly—how would those around me react? Would things fall apart?

Probably not. Life would go on. Others would step in. I know I’m not the center of the universe. Still, it’s a question that popped into my head.

I think about the real struggles some of my friends and loved ones are facing, and my heart goes out to them. They’re dealing with serious, unavoidable challenges. I try to help however I can, knowing they’d do the same for me. What’s harder for me to understand are those who repeatedly create their own chaos—who seem to leap off the path, not drift.

I don’t know why this line of thought came to me during a walk, but it did.

When I sat down to write, I made a cup of tea. The message on the teabag tag read: “Life is best lived by focusing on your goals and dancing through all distractions.”

It’s a beautiful sentiment. And maybe it’s true—when things are smooth, it feels like a dance. But when life is messy, uncertain, or hard, it’s not about dancing. It’s about putting one foot in front of the other. One small, steady step at a time.

And that’s how I keep going.