I’m a romantic. And not just by the obvious definition. I’m romantic in the way that I see life. I believe in the goodness of people. I believe that one’s work should have a deeper purpose. And I believe one’s dedicated intention to any purpose can change the world.

The catch? Thinking this way can get pretty damn exhausting—even for the sentimental type.

You know when you get those really great ideas that almost leave you feeling lightheaded? The love you have for your new idea takes over, and it moves you to frantically search for more answers. Discovering answers leads to some action, and just as you’re about to make a move things get a little, well, hard. And just like that you fall out of love with your once brilliant idea.

Thinking romantically about an idea isn’t easy to sustain. Just like in any relationship, you’ll eventually find the flaws in your idea, leading you to doubt its initial brilliance. Ultimately leaving you to, well, give up.

We all have doubts in our once-brilliant ideas. And sure, those ideas always have flaws and challenges. But what separates the trailblazers from the rest is that they actually worked through the fear and never gave up.

How many times have you heard the saying, “Never give up?” It almost sounds childish. As a romantic writer, I wish I could find a more eloquent way to get this message across. But I can’t, because it’s that simple: Don’t give up.

That romantic belief is not going to give you the same goose bumps and slight dizziness it gave you in the beginning. In fact, as time passes it’ll give you more of a headache sensation than anything. Coming to this realization will give you the clarity you need to move forward. The sparks may have died down, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to give up. You and your romantic belief are simply entering a new stage. Understanding this concept has given me a whole new appreciation of my beliefs, enough so that I feel responsible to share.

And by the way, as a romantic, I believe headaches are just a non-verbal way of saying, “Nurture me, please.”