Dennis Schulz

For a long time, I lived with an underlying sense of inadequacy. It wasn’t something I always voiced out loud, but it was there, lurking beneath the surface. I looked at others and saw people who seemed to have it all together: friends with thriving careers, relationships that appeared perfect, and seemingly endless energy. Meanwhile, I was constantly fighting the nagging feeling that I wasn’t doing enough, that I wasn’t enough. This fear of not being enough didn’t just affect how I saw myself—it shaped how I approached every part of my life. I put too much pressure on myself to be perfect, to live up to standards I had set in my mind. Whether it was at work, in my friendships, or even in my personal growth, the thought was always there: What if I fall short? What if I’m not good enough? This fear had its roots in my childhood, growing up with high expectations that I thought were normal. It was about constantly being told to strive for more and never feeling like I was qui...

I’ve always been someone who craves change. I’d get restless in the same routine, the same environment, always eager to move forward and explore new opportunities. But what I didn’t realize was how much fear of change was woven into that desire. The irony? Even when I wanted it, I found myself resisting it, terrified of what it could mean for my future. When I was younger, I had this constant urge to switch things up—whether it was changing schools, jobs, or moving to a new city. On the surface, it seemed like I was taking bold steps to build the life I wanted, but deep down, I was overwhelmed with anxiety at the thought of letting go of the familiar. I had no idea how to adapt to the unfamiliar without feeling like I was losing control. I remember the first time I decided to move away from home for a new teaching position. It was exciting, yes, but also terrifying. I was leaving behind everything I knew and had grown comfortable with, from family to friends, and even the rhythm of my ...