Category: Mental Well-being
Taking a leap into the unknown can take many shapes and forms. It can be as bold as quitting your job and starting a whole new career, it can be dyeing your hair a new colour (proceed with caution. Read about my terrible blonde moment to aid yourself with tips on what not to do). It can be going to an event where you don’t know anyone or signing up for a new activity. The list is vast.
I’m not suggesting living every moment of your life teetering on the edge of pure adrenaline. But I am suggesting taking inventory now and again of your day-to-day life. Most of us get stuck in habits and routines and forget to push ourselves. Sometimes we’re even presented with a new opportunity but turn it down for fear of the unknown.
I think I’m spurred on to take leaps because the idea of not knowing how it could turn out drives me insane. I’m obviously talking about the bigger things in life here. The ones where, if it doesn’t work out, you’re definitely going to get bruised a little. But I really do believe that what is meant to be, will be, and choosing to take a leap means that at least I tried. To me, there’s a sense of closure pursuing something you know might not work out as I’d rather risk it than sit at home and wonder “what if?”.
But risk isn’t just about the big changes, it’s also, I believe, about pushing yourself on a smaller spectrum. For example, I’m quite shy in crowds I don’t know and keep to myself. So when I signed up for an art class to attend without a familiar face, it was a big deal to me. I get super anxious about all aspects of the event: I don’t want to be late. How will I find parking? I’m going to drive the wrong way and will have to switch lanes, what if other drivers get mad at me? What if the event is boring? What if I don’t understand the German instructions? And on and on and on my brain will whir out crisis scenarios. I’ve found that the only way to overcome it, is to just do it. It’s like I have to tell little Amanda that it will be fine and to take it one moment at a time. And usually, it works. Once whatever I’ve set out to do is completed, it’s usually met by a “well that wasn’t so bad!” and I’m thankful for having pushed myself.
So every now and then, push your boundaries and dare to do something different.