Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

I have always been somewhat of a shy person. I am not good at making friends and I hate meeting large groups of new people. Similarly, I really don't like trying new things that are of out my comfort zone. When I went to school last fall I planned on joining a bunch of different clubs and doing awesome new things that I couldn't do while at home. All of the wonderful plans that I had made for myself fell through simply because I was too afraid to try. I am not exactly sure what I was afraid of, but I was surely afraid of something. This fall I will be attending a different school and I want to make sure I don't let my bad habits get the best of me. I have made a list of ways that I can help myself achieve all of my goals and have a great time this fall:

1. Start with just one new thing to try

When I went to school in the fall I became overwhelmed by all of the new and exciting things I wanted to try out. This fall I want to make a list of what I want to try or do and rank them. First I want to join the running club, second I want to try spin classes, etc. This way I only have to focus on one scary thing at a time.

2. Write down the reasons you want to do something scary

If I have justifiable reasons as to why I should do something even if it is scary to me then chances are I can convince myself to do it. If there is something that doesn't seem worth the anxiety and stress than I am simply going to cross that thing off my list until it becomes meaningful.

3. Do something that you are passionate about

I have really fallen in love with running and I am training for a half marathon in October. I know that joining the running club will not only help my running but help me like running more. Because I already have a base established with the sport of running not everything will be new, just the people.

4. Tell yourself you only have to try it once

One of the reasons that things seem so scary to me at times is that I get nervous about having to do it again. If I tell myself that I only have to try it once then I can get a objective perspective about whether I liked it or not. If I try something and hate it then I don't see the point in continuing, but if I love it then I should continue and eventually it will no longer seem so daunting.

5. Remember you are not alone

Other people are going through the same that you are and are probably just as nervous as you are. Most people are willing to help and support each other so try to take advantage of the help you can get from others.

7. Have fun!

It is important to go into things with an open mind, and intending to have a good time. Even if I am super nervous about something I try to think of all the positives rather than the negatives so the chances of having a good time are maximized.