Be Bold Be Brave.
I think that might be my mantra for this season of my life. I’m definitely in a growing phase.
This year I have stepped WAY outside of my comfort zone in many avenues.
Be Bold Be Brave #1: I Got Married!
That may not sound like something that takes much bravery, but for someone who doesn’t like to be the center of attention, getting married is one of the scariest things on earth.
I was never scared to marry my partner; we’ve been together for a long time and there was never a single doubt that we were making the right decision.
However, I was worried to have all eyes on me. I didn’t want to walk down the aisle alone. I didn’t want a first dance. I didn’t want everyone watching us cut the cake.
As we got deeper into planning the event, and closer to the actual day, I started focusing on what mattered most – spending the day with my loved ones. I got Bold. I got Brave. (And I was probably battling exhaustion because, holy cow, planning a wedding is a full time job!)
In the end, we walked down the aisle together, we accidentally ended up with a sort of first dance, and we tried to cut the cake privately but people ended up seeing us and we didn’t care.
One of the best photos of us from the night is from that cake cutting. And one of my favorite memories is from the moment before we walked down the aisle, seeing the faces of all of our friends and family who love us and were there to support us.
Be Bold Be Brave #2: I Said No!
I’m a perfectionist. I’m an overachiever. I put a lot of pressure on myself to get things done and to do them well.
This usually leads to months of over-scheduling, followed by a freak out session, a breakdown and then some time off doing nothing. This is not a healthy way to live.
After years of these cycles, I’ve been making it a point this year to JUST SAY NO. It’s hard. I want to do everything and be everything for everyone but I can’t help anyone if I’m not taking care of myself.
I knew from an early age that I wanted to help people. The way I’ve helped people has changed over the years as I’ve refined my interests and my skills but I always end up in a helping profession. It brings me joy.
However, I can only help someone else when I am first helping myself and that means sometimes saying no to things that I really want to do.
This is an ongoing process, but the more I say no to things the more I will figure out what’s important in my life and where to focus my time each week to bring me more joy and ultimately be of better service to others.
Be Bold Be Brave #3: I Danced Like No One Was Watching!
I danced my entire life from age 5 until about 25. Ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, modern. I LOVE dancing… in class or as part of a performance on stage.
What I’ve never enjoyed is dancing at a club, to music, with other people around. It’s just one of those things that makes me uncomfortable.
I think it goes back to feeling like people are watching me. I care too much about what people think and I’m not comfortable in my own skin or feel like I have rhythm like that. So I just don’t do it and that’s okay.
But a group of friends wanted to go to one of those Silent Discos and I was curious, so I put my fear aside and said yes.
At these events, all participants wear headphones that flash either blue, green or red depending on what DJ you are listening to. There is no other music so if you don’t have the headphones on, it’s quiet.
You can toggle through the different stations and can listen to what your friends are listening to or switch around and listen to something else. Everyone looks and sounds crazy: wearing large colored headphones, dancing to different beats, singing different lyrics.
But it was so much fun.
I danced all night and didn’t care who was watching… because I don’t think anyone really was. So often when we are worried about what people are thinking of us, if we take a step back and think about it rationally, well, most of the time they’re not thinking about us at all.
So, what’s changed that’s helped me step outside of my comfort zone?
I believe the main catalyst has been the side hustle I started in 2015.
I began my business primarily as another way to help people with their health. But as I watched friends around me change their own lives I realized there was so much more available to me… but I was going to have to focus on my own personal growth and step outside of my comfort zone to get there.
I have to do things that scare me. I have to do things I don’t want to do. I have to make sacrifices.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
What season of life are you in? Are you doing things that push yourself out of your comfort zone? Share them in the comments below!
And if you want more in life than what you’re currently doing – and you’re open to growing as a person to get there – click here to learn more about my business. I’d love to partner with you so we can be Bold and Brave together.
(photo credit: Anne Salas Photography)