I read a book in high school that changed my life. In it, one of the main female characters wandered along a beach in the very far flung Orkney Isles, Scotland. And she collected things like pebbles, shells, feathers and sea glass to make a spell that would summon strength for herself and the people around her in a desperate time of need.
Fast forward 16 years. For a range of reasons I almost took my life. That escalated I know! Sorry. I didn’t realize at the time that I had chronic depression, PTSD and had disassociated from reality. I still have some memory loss from that dark time. But as I started to heal, took medication, and got the help I needed I was still raw. And didn’t believe I would make it or ever feel whole again. I was trying but the shame of failing was creeping in again.
Then I remembered my book! Actually I work with books and an old copy of it came through my workplace one day. And it all came back to me, it never really had left but it had dimmed, how much I wanted to be a strong female walking along that beach. So like it was fate, or a much higher universal presence at work, I was flicking through hashtags of #orkneyisles that night on Instagram when something called ‘Work Away’ came up. And in a matter of 5 days I had Skyped and organized to volunteer and stay with a host family on Stronsay, Orkney! That part fell into place like it was meant to be, but getting time off from work, support, and finding the money (has to use credit in the end) to get there from Australia with only a couple of months to arrive... it was at times a horrible fight and a struggle until I got on that plane. Then I sat in the plane toilets and bawled my eyes out from sheer terror and self doubt. I didn’t sleep for the 36hrs it took to get there. Then I really was a wreak and thought I had let myself and everyone else down.
But as you can see, I made it. I walked that very beach from the story, I collected shells and ancient pottery and warm sea glass and I felt strong and proud and knew that I could survive and believe in myself again. And I had the best time of my life. Even when it was difficult, the things you don’t expect are hard but lots of lessons were also easy I promise you. But in my heart I knew, I absolutely knew I had to get there and It had to be right then. And it changed me just like that book did. And I will never regret it.
This photo I took two years ago. I was shaking and crying, I didn’t believe I did it, that it was real, that I was standing there, and I couldn’t keep the shell still and it was the only one that turned out and it was perfect. It was so windy and freezing that my tears were burning my face and my hair was so stuck to the dampness that I couldn’t see the photo until I got back into my hire car. It’s still a fight, but I’m much faster at regaining my strength now. And I am still in contact with my host family and dream of going back to Orkney as soon as I can afford to again, I would love to live there one day. But I brought all of those collected things in that photo back with me, and they are here when I need them.
About the Creator
Melissa Richards
crafty - soooo crafty
The glitter kind of crafty I mean.
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“He Kept Going When No One Was Watching — And That Changed Everything”
No one ever noticed the days he almost gave up. There were no messages asking if he was okay. No one wondered why he became quieter. No one asked how much effort it took just to keep going. To the world, he was just another ordinary man. His name was Ayaan. Ayaan’s life didn’t collapse in one dramatic moment. It slowly faded. Missed opportunities. Rejected ideas. Silent disappointments. Every failure was small, but together they became heavy. He had dreams once. Big ones. Dreams that kept him awake at night, imagining a future where his hard work would finally matter. But over time, those dreams began to feel unrealistic—almost embarrassing. People around him seemed to move forward effortlessly. They celebrated promotions, achievements, and milestones. Ayaan watched from the side, smiling politely while feeling invisible. At work, his efforts were ignored. Among friends, his voice faded. At home, expectations weighed heavily on him. Slowly, a dangerous thought settled into his mind: “Maybe I’m not good enough.” That thought followed him everywhere. It followed him on crowded buses. It followed him into sleepless nights. It followed him every time he tried again and failed. One night, after scrolling through endless success stories online, Ayaan closed his phone and stared at the dark ceiling. His chest felt tight, not because of pain—but because of exhaustion. He whispered quietly, “How long do I keep trying?” There was no answer. But that night, Ayaan made a decision—not a loud one, not a confident one. A tired decision. He decided to keep going, even if nothing changed. The next morning felt the same. The same routine. The same doubts. The same fear of wasting his life. But Ayaan showed up anyway. He worked when no one praised him. He studied when no one guided him. He practiced when no one believed in him. Some days, motivation disappeared completely. On those days, discipline took over. He reminded himself: “I don’t need applause. I need progress.” Weeks passed. Nothing dramatic happened. No sudden success. No recognition. No miracle. But something subtle began to shift. Ayaan became calmer under pressure. He learned to sit with discomfort instead of running from it. He stopped comparing his journey to others. The silence that once scared him now became his training ground. Months later, a serious problem appeared at his workplace. It was complicated, risky, and easy to blame on someone else. Most people avoided it. Some pretended it wasn’t their responsibility. Ayaan didn’t announce himself. He didn’t seek attention. He simply started working. Late nights. Mistakes. Corrections. Learning. There were moments he wanted to quit. Moments when fear whispered, “You’re not ready.” But he answered back, “I’ll learn.” Slowly, the problem began to disappear. Not perfectly—but steadily. People noticed, quietly. One afternoon, his manager called him into the office. Ayaan expected criticism. Instead, he heard a question that stunned him: “Where did you learn all this?” Ayaan paused. How could he explain years of silent effort? How could he explain working when no one cared? He simply replied, “I kept going.” That moment didn’t change his life overnight. He didn’t become famous. He didn’t suddenly become successful. But it changed something far more important. His belief in himself. For the first time, Ayaan understood that life doesn’t always reward effort immediately. Sometimes, it watches. It watches who continues without praise. Who improves without recognition. Who grows in silence. Years later, Ayaan looked back at the version of himself who almost quit. The man who felt invisible. The man who thought no one was watching. And he smiled. Because he finally understood the truth: Life was always watching. Not to judge. Not to rush. But to see if he would keep going when it was hardest. The world doesn’t reward those who only work when they’re seen. It rewards those who build strength in silence. And sometimes, the moment that changes everything doesn’t come with applause. It comes quietly. After patience. After effort. After consistency. That is when everything finally begins to change. Final Message Keep going—even when no one is watching. Especially then.
By Inayat khan3 days ago in Motivation
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