This year has done anything but gone as planned. Many of us have lost or changed jobs, moved homes, had travel plans cancelled, or been faced with online school and a restricted social life. Despite these obstacles, some good may have come from it so far. It might be the little things – spending more time with loved ones, learning a new skill or taking up a new hobby. It’s also possible that you’re the type of person who hasn’t seen much of the positive yet, and that’s okay. The year isn’t over, but better yet – why let a year’s term define us?
One of the best opportunities that can come from this odd way of life we’ve found ourselves in, which is quite frankly becoming the new normal, is the chance to push ourselves to do something we wouldn’t normally do. We have the chance now more than ever before to step out of our comfort zones. Many of us have extra time or flexibility with work or school becoming remote in some way, giving us more time to try something we haven’t prioritized before. Many of us may have decreased obligations, and thus less of a risk that comes with doing something outside of our comfort zones. We may also feel like we’re in a funk, that we’re lost, lonely or down, and we’re looking for a way to put more positivity into a time like now. These are yet more reasons to put ourselves out there with the hope of gaining something from whatever experience that is.
It’s Time
You have more time on your hands, so what do you decide to do? It’s an opportunity to weigh the scales. Consider your options. Yes, you can sleep in, binge-watch a show on TV, or indulge in your favorite fast food joint that’s just down the road. I’m not going to tell you not to do this ever – these are perfectly normal ways to take care of your mental well-being. We all deserve to treat ourselves! Although, what I am going to challenge you to do is to think about goals and desires that you have. Once you have a mental, or maybe even physical, list of things you want to do, think of which ones you have been too intimidated to go for. If you’ve been putting off going for something that intimidates you, now is the time to do it. Why? If you don’t do it now, you’ll continue to put it off. Then chances are, you never will. Saying that you’ll do it tomorrow turns into next week, turns into next year.
No Excuses
If we have extra time to think about these burning desires of ours, we also have extra time to start taking steps toward fulfilling them. Have you always wanted to take a solo trip through the mountains? How about getting a tattoo? Have you been meaning to go skydiving but continually tell yourself you’ll do it when life gets less busy? Chances are, life is less busy right now. You’re probably intimidated by the task and that is the real reason why you’re making excuses. If you really wanted to do it you’d find the time to do so, so stop making excuses for yourself and make the jump. You know what you desire to do. Make those dreams a reality. No matter how uncomfortable you think you may be while attempting to pursue your goal, you will only find out if you’ve worked the process up to be worse than it is if you try it out.
What We Can Gain From Discomfort
It’s human nature to avoid discomfort. We simply don’t like it. This is where learning how to embrace it comes in.
[“On the other side of your maximum fear are all of the best things in life.” – Will Smith.]
If we can accept discomfort with open arms and pull it in toward us, there is nothing to fear. We often work up whatever that discomfort is in our heads and make it out to be a much bigger deal. So ask yourself, is the reward that will come from the discomfort worth the risk? If the outcome can be positive and you will end up feeling elated because of it, undergo the discomfort and you will come out on top.
For example, as a sophomore in college I had never gone on a trip without my family. I also had never been camping more than two nights. I had a desire to go on a volunteer trip with a group of people at school during our January term, which entailed tenting for fourteen nights in a mountain valley in California with temperatures in the low thirties with no cell service. I didn’t know any of the people going on the trip with me either. Was this a bit intimidating? Of course. Did I end up going for it? I did. What came of that trip was one of the best experiences I have yet to endure. I gained so much confidence in learning to survive on my own in nature and navigate mountains and forests. I learned how to milk a goat, make rosemary cookies from scratch, whittle a wooden spoon, and shoot a bow and arrow. Most importantly, I learned more about the kind of person I want to be, taking those two weeks away from social media and the outside world. There were a lot of discomforts I faced during that trip, but what came out of it as a result was so much more valuable.
The fact of the matter is that we learn to appreciate the process when we have to endure hardships to get the outcome of success – and success does not always mean that you get your intended outcome. Even if you put yourself out there and fail to do what you intended, you can learn from the process and become more confident in your ability to do something that scares you. That is what success looks like. Every action you take is an opportunity to learn and grow.
Things To Try, Both Big And Small
- Travel somewhere where you do not know the main spoken language
- Try a new meal that you’ve never had
- Introduce yourself to someone new
- Find an opportunity to speak publicly
- Take a class on a topic you’re not familiar with
- Take time to be alone
- Start a side job that you enjoy
- Attend a therapy session
- Join a sports league or team
- Sing or play an instrument in front of a group of people
- Say hi to people you pass while walking
- Take a break from technology for a day
- Find a new method of transportation to work for a week
- Get a new hairstyle
- Go on a run
- Listen to a style of music you don’t typically enjoy
- Apply for a new job
- Give someone a compliment
Wrap Up
No matter what your goal is, big or small, have faith in yourself that you can do it. There is no denying that it can be intimidating to step out of your comfort zone. Mindset about the way the discomfort can shape you as you experience it is everything. Now go work toward it. You’ve got this!
~Written by my friend, Lauren
Good Afternoon Coffee Addicts,
You heard it here first and Lauren has given you many examples of things you can do. Now is such a strange time in this world you might as well give it a shot! I started this blog in June as outlet because I wasn’t able to perform my music in crowds anymore. No matter the hobby or activity, try to find something new to do, something you’ll enjoy. It may not be on the first thing you try, but you’ll find it eventually. The journey is the best part.
As always I hope you all have a great day. Have a safe and spooky Halloween!
With Gratitude,
`Dil
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