#HEYGRRRLFRENNNS This is usually the part of the blog post where I keep it real about how hard life has been, but lately, the good times have been rolling! I think there is power in making space for negative feelings, but in doing that, we can’t forget to acknowledge the bright side of all the hard work we have been putting in because that is the whole point of doing it in the first place! Our radical self-care journey is all about planting seeds that one day will grow into trees that shade us, but until that happens, there is nothing wrong with admiring our blossoming garden. Stop and smell the roses grrrls! I think I am in a great mood because last Friday, I walked across the graduation stage and spent the weekend having the best time with my family. Aside from still trying to catch up on all of the sleep I lost this semester and some slight neck pain from typing all of those finals, I feel extremely fortunate to be in the space I am right now. I am surrounded by people who I know love me unconditionally, I am working hard to create a life that I am passionate about, and for the first time in a long time, I am starting to feel more comfortable taking more chances and betting on myself. 

I want to spread the love and good vibes and encourage all of the grrrlies to walk on the wild side and join me in pushing out of our comfort zones! I don’t know about you, but sometimes my brain can be quite the bully. This is due to something that my therapist describes as “anxiety,” which, in regular terms, means that I am always thinking. #BigBrainEnergy If you can relate, you already know that sometimes this overproduction of thought can lead to the over calculation of risk, which is annoying because sometimes it’s just not that deep. We always convince ourselves that the worst possible outcome will happen if we dare to try something different, but what would happen if we pushed ourselves to believe everything would go right for us? This week, I want to talk about how to finally start feeling more comfortable walking on the wild side and finding out what the world has to offer us! 

Bursting Your Bubble

Everyone is always talking about breaking out of your comfort zone, but nobody talks about where the heck you are supposed to go after you leave! I think the scariest part about leaving your comfort zone is the fear of the unknown, which is why soo many people decide to stick to where it’s safe, but I have a sneaky suspicion that you actually already know what you want to do and where you want to go. Here’s a hint, usually, the ideas that scare us the most are where our intuition leads us to be most happy… unless you’re thinking about cutting your own bangs for the first time. Better safe than bald! For example, if you have a flair for dramatics and a natural knack for memorization, start getting your Oscar acceptance speech together because it’s clear that you were destined to be the next best actress in Hollywood! Now, start doing things that get you more comfortable with that idea. You can start small, like reciting your favorite movies word for word when you watch them in the privacy of your own home. When you get tired of being a one grrrl show, maybe you could take it to the next level and join an acting class with other people who love movies just as much as you do! Who knows? That might lead you to the Sears portrait studio for new headshots. Next thing you know you’ll be waking into casting calls with confidence and making your dreams come true! If you are still unsure where to start, take it back to the basics and connect with your inner child. Do the thing that the younger version of yourself would geek out over if they found out that you were doing it now. There is nothing better to bet on than yourself!

Nothing To Lose

Mindset is a huge game changer when it comes to growing out of your comfort zone. You have to try your best to stop operating from a perspective of loss and think about what there is to gain by trying something new. Not everything unknown is scary or hurtful, like surprise parties, secret admirers, or randomly finding money in your coat pocket from your Target run last weekend. JACKPOT! Think about all the good things that have happened to you in life that you never saw coming, and start to believe that even more is coming. BECAUSE IT IS! Grrrls, you are more than deserving of good things. Now, start acting like it before I get mad! I’m… sorry for yelling, but honestly, the worst thing that could happen is that it doesn’t work out for you, and everything stays exactly the same. For example, when I failed my first driving test and the instructor told me I was a danger to public safety, I was pretty bummed out, but then I realized that my life literally didn’t change, and I was okay again. The point is, I wish I were making that story up, and I am a much better driver now. Oh wait, no, the point is you are strong enough to survive your downfalls. Plus, rejection is just a redirection to something bigger and better! 

#WWTGD?

One of my favorite tips for breaking out of my comfort zone is literally pretending to be someone else, but not just anyone. I pretend to be my greatest and highest self and ask myself, “What would that grrrl do?”. By embodying the version of myself that already has things figured out or the confidence to do scary things I can motivate the present version of me to at least attempt to try something new. If you aren’t psychic like me and have difficulty seeing that far into the future, I have another hack in mind for you! This is the oldest trick I have up my sleeve, and I have been doing this for as long as I can remember, so I can confidently tell you it works like a charm. Or your money back guarantee! Instead of focusing on the task that scares you, think about how you will feel immediately after. When I was little, I would pretend to fast forward to the moment my dentist appointments were over. Since starting my radical self-care journey, I have used this same exercise to try to visualize how good I will feel after taking a chance by putting myself out there more! 

To truly move forward and experience this wonderful life that we have been working soo hard to create for ourselves, you have to decide that you will move forward, be open to being in a position to live it, and never look back! The universe has no choice but to match this amazing energy we are putting out there, but it will not give you what you aren’t ready for. What’s for you will not miss you, but you can delay your opportunities by being too scared to receive them. Trust me grrrls, you are more than worth the risk. I know what it’s like to feel like nothing will ever go your way, but I want you to know that you have the power to change that. It starts with you and it also starts outside of your comfort zone. Take on the challenge like danger is your middle name and pursue your happiness. You are safe! Now go and be great you lil grrrly pop! TTYL!!