I realized I’ve been 'preparing' for life instead of living it - Assalamu alaikum

Assalamu alaikum. This is a bit awkward to admit, but I think I’ve been hiding behind self-improvement for a long time. For years I’ve told myself I’m working on myself. Reading things, making routines, watching talks about discipline, habits, money, health. Always feeling like I’m nearly ready. Like once I learn a little more or fix one more thing, then I’ll finally take my life seriously - Insha'Allah. But when I look at my actual days, not much is different. On paper, things look nicer. I know more. I can explain what I should be doing pretty well. I’ve got plans and systems and ideas. But the big steps? The uncomfortable ones? The ones that would really change things? I keep postponing those. I think I’m starting to see why preparing feels safe while acting doesn’t. Preparing feels safer because you don’t have to risk anything. You can say you’re still learning, still getting ready. It doesn’t feel like failure, but it also doesn’t move you forward. And honestly my phone helps keep me there more than I want to admit. A lot of my 'preparing' is on screens: reading another article, watching another talk, saving another note. It feels productive, but it keeps me a bit removed from doing messy real-life things. What struck me recently was how long I’ve been saying I’m getting ready. Ready for what? For how long? At some point it stops being preparation and becomes delay. I don’t have a neat lesson to share. I’m just noticing my comfort zone isn’t only scrolling or zoning out - it’s also planning, learning, optimizing, and convincing myself I’m being wise by waiting. I’m trying to move toward action now. Not dramatic - just small, imperfect things that aren’t only on my phone or in my head. Things that might actually go wrong, and trusting Allah with the outcome. Still figuring it out… anyone else noticed this pattern in themselves too?