Comfort Zones, y'all

DAY 3!! STREAK!

Today's topic is about how have you pushed yourself outside of your comfort zone in 2014. I think? Some posts I've just seen are just on what makes you uncomfortable, so I like that we have some flexibility in the topic.

Anyways, comfort zones and leaving them

I don't know why, but for some reason I ALWAYS associate comfort zone and pushing outside of it to be things to do with TRAVELING. Solely traveling. & believe me, I'm terrified of everything, and yet every time I travel I push myself to do things that are outside of my comfort zone. Even things that I DIDNT WANT TO DO and that I DID NOT ENJOY. hahah. I think it's taken me a LONG time to realize that pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone doesn't mean that you have to force yourself to do things that you don't like or don't want to do . . . but you shouldn't let your "comfort zone" keep you from doing things you DO want to do, and that once you do them you're happy you did.

What are some things that I've forced myself to do that I hated? And knew I would hate?

#1. Roller Coasters. 

this is me, but with my eyes closed. the sheer terror, i know it well.

I'm from Florida, guys. I've been to every amusement park, and I've been on EVERY roller coaster. And I fucking hate them all. Serious. When I worked at Chickfila, my boss bought us all tickets to go to Islands of Adventure (Universal Studios Part Dos) one Sunday. I went on EVERY SINGLE ROLLER COASTER . . . in the FRONT row on every one. WHYYYY. But no one can every accuse me of not TRYING new things.

Me in line for a roller coaster is a constant feeling of nervousness, sweating, hot flashes, and feeling like I'm going to puke -- for however long I'm waiting. Me ON roller coasters is closing my eyes, hanging on for dear life, and LITERALLY sweating through whatever clothes I'm wearing.

Never again.

#2 Avatar One - First roller coaster zip line - MEXICO. 
(Do you see a recurring theme?)

not me - this person looks like they're enjoying it

Again. I did not want to do this, but I like ziplining. I don't like roller coasters though. So, I risked it. Let me mention that this thing definitely did not look up to American safety standards, they told us there was one part where some people get stuck and if you do you have to reach up and pull yourself the rest of the way. (Guess who got stuck??) THEN, it finishes by going into a cave, a garbage bag (i shit you not) holds back some water, and you crash into the water. Well, they told us to put our legs a certain way so that we would not PUSH WATER into our faces at the end, but I, of course, didn't follow directions and I basically drowned myself at the end.

Okay, basically those are the only two things. But this year, especially because I have gone back to school I have a few things on my "pushing myself" list that I've done.

#1. Try out to be a representative for the Women's Law Group

No one knew me. It's like student government so I was like, there's no way I'm getting elected - it's a popularity contest. And guess what guys?? IT WAS. But you know what, I didnt win, but it didn't crush my heart. It didn't suck that bad.

#2. Try out for mock trial team -- the ONE thing I wanted to do in law school. 

This one was terrifying - because you have to try out without ever having learned the stuff that you're doing. AND GUESS WHAT - didn't make it.

#3. Try out for moot court 
(like mock trial but for appellate work)
I made it to the second (of three) rounds. AND GUESS WHAT - I didn't make it.

#4. Try out to be my writing teacher's assistant next year
She has two TAs for the whole year.
AND GUESS WHAT
I ACTUALLY MADE IT!!!! 

If at first you don't succeed, y'all, try, try again!!

#5. Go to my teacher's office hours

This was a big goal of mine because I never went to office hours in undergrad OR grad school and I think it's really important but I was always just scared. I didn't go AT ALL first semester and I regretted it. Spring semester I went a few times and I definitely want to keep that goal going for the next two years.

#6. Go to a weight watcher's meeting

This has legit been on my list for at least 3 years. I don't know, I just really wanted to go to an actual meeting because I felt like it would help me, but I've always been so scared. Well, at the beginning of June I finally did it and GUESS what -- not scary at all! So glad I did it!!

Welp, yeah, soo can you see a theme? One of the hardest things for me to do is put myself out there with PEOPLE. I always *say* I'm socially anxious but whenever I'm in groups of people I actually do really well. And if I learned anything this year it's that you can't always get what you want, and I am SO HAPPY THAT AT LEAST I TRIED!!! I never have to wonder, "What if??" and next year, I'll try out again :)

xox
Kimbo