Mental Note 05/15/2026
- Solomon E. Stretch, LPC, NBCC, SAP, MAC, ICAADC, CAADC
- May 15
- 1 min read
"Either break the ice or skate on it all day."
We spend so much of our lives gliding over the surface of things—skating around the difficult conversation, the heavy decision, or the truth we’re too afraid to name. We think that by staying on the move, we’re being safe. We think if we just keep "skating," we won’t have to deal with what’s underneath.
But skating is exhausting. It’s a constant performance of balance while the cold air thins your lungs. You aren’t moving forward; you’re just circling the same frozen problem.
Breaking the ice is the act of confrontation. It is loud, it is messy, and it’s a shock to the system. But it’s the only way to get to the water. It’s the only way to dive deep into the reality of your life.
Whether it’s a boundary you’ve been avoiding, a "yes" you’ve been holding back, or a "no" that’s been stuck in your throat—the ice isn’t going to melt on its own.
Today’s decision-making check-in:
Are you circling the problem to avoid the collision?
What is the "surface" you’re tired of maintaining?
What would happen if you finally just let the ice break?
The shock of the truth is always better than the exhaustion of avoidance.
Stop skating. Start breaking.
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