Every now and again it helps the soul to try something new.
Forget plastic surgery, forget Class As, forget religion, forget winning the lottery. Being happy has a lot to do with new-ness. For some the thrill of the new may be something reasonably perilous like climbing the north face of that mountain those two blokes fell down in that film, “Touching the Void”, or even trying out the trickier Kama Sutra positions with an orange* in your mouth. For the rest of us, experiencing the new might not need to be life threatening, or as embarrassing to the family members that have to call the ambulance.
After the radio show this weekend which is the first time ever I have been on the radio, I realised that no matter how wracked with nerves I was, the adrenaline rush was not to be sniffed at. And then I began thinking about all the new things I have done this year.
My whole life I wanted to go to Thailand. This year I went. It was better than even I imagined. And it was all about new experiences every day. I'll never forget it. You can keep the Costa Del Sol!
In the New Year I painted and sold my work. It was one the best things I have ever done in my life. It still makes me smile.
In the summer I got a new job and left my comfort zone of teaching. Terrifying, still. But a good decision.
Then I got a dog. It’s been hard work but there’s not a day goes by that I don’t think, “Jeez, I just love that wee boy!” Watch this space for a coming soon blog and me and Sonny at Dog School!
I went freelance full time and left the days of clocking in and out behind me. Safety net...removed! (Audible gasps from the assembled crowds)
But it isn’t just me. I look around myself and I see that I am surrounded with friends who are not afraid to embrace the new. Maybe that's the reason I hang out with them.
A friend of mine went for five weeks travelling to Thailand and Australia and left her husband to take care of the kids at home because she’d always wanted to go but never had the chance before. My sister has taken up the cello. My husband has joined a new band. My brother in law has become an accomplished songwriter. My friend is joining the police force after a life unhappy in various jobs. My other friend has gone back to college at the age of forty, despite being absolutely terrified.
I swear, if you’re feeling that you need a boost, try something new-preferably something that really puts yourself out there and see what happens. Even if it’s running outside naked for five minutes in the snow just to say you did. Go on, do it now.
(And then blog it!)
*start with a tangerine...much safer.
15 comments:
Well said Misssy. You must be so proud of yourself. I think too many people live in their comfort zone and do what they think they're supposed to or are simply too scared. I probably throw caution to the wind too much and have had few safety nets in my life but at least I know I've lived.
Remember the first, and only, time I was on TV (though my back garden once featured in a spot on a funnel wind in Turra). Despite my hyperactivity, the only thing that moved was my jaw. Terrifying!!!
Actually I blew it on the last word. "fuck" is not normally the second syllable of "Goodnight", Got as far as "good" and lost it totally. Fortunately it wasn't live and I survived the second take.
Ask Meester - he was forced to watch it.
Excellent post!
I took up blogging anew this year, and I love it! I find myself thinking of new topics to write about all the time! This all from someone who was afraid to write a paper for school, let alone put it out there for the world to read!
Now I need to find the next new thing...
"forget religion,"
What's if it's a new religion? I'm constantly meeting humans who've converted to something or the other. I'm thinking of founding a new religion in which I am a minor deity.
I know, it's amazing that kick, for some reason this summer I got a huge confidence boost from somewhere, so I've for once just been *doing* stuff instead of standing by watching others do it. Despite the fact I'm 22 I'd never asked a guy out on a date, I just did that last night, fingers crossed and all that. And I know it's religion but I'm converting to Judaism and just told my parents last weekend. They're only little things, I'm working my way up to Thailand-esqe levels of stuff. But it's bloody good, and I'm going to have to do more now, can't let you beat me ;)
And here I am leaving a safe job I can do well to take up teaching and dithering about having my eyes sliced and diced. Does that count?
do something new and blog about it, nice challenge. *puts thinking hat on*
oh apologies i missed your flirt with the radio, although 106 was on in the house i was working in later that day and I let out an audible FUCK, MISSSY! in front of the customer. Always a good start. Hopefully that makes up for it.
btk
Ms Robinson: I hate excuses. I never ever want to be someone who said, "I could have been/done X but I never got the chance." That kind of talk infuriates me.
Donny: I have heard all about that. Oh, what I would pay for copy!
T and A: I love it when you overcome your own stereotypical view of yourself. I wonder what the teachers at school would make of your blog.
Gorilla: Count me in the congregation already!
Random: I wouldn't call converting to Judaism a "little thing" at all! Gosh, what prompted that?
Cat: You are all about the new things right now! You're prime example.
BTK: That's funny. Never mind,there's always next week, and with any luck I won't say anything on air to prompt the same expletive! It went ok, I think.
Can't oblige on the video - but can probably dig out the text from somewhere - though I seem to remember typing it out on a typewriter as I assumed a Friday 11am deadline meant the following Thursday at 12pm. It didn't as I discovered at 10:20am so I seem to remember sitting in someone's office typing frantically (on a manual typewriter no less!) at about 10:50am to get the script in in time.
Strangely enough nothing really, the more I read the more I was attracted to it, well, telling my parents was a little thing I suppose. My friends just like being able to make Jewish jokes, as in it's always acceptable when you know someone who is.
You are an inspiration Misssy....!! I am totally impulsive and have done many crazy things but you have made me want to reach for the sky again.
What are Class A's?
Wow! That's a helluva year, Misssy!
Emma: Wow..go for it. Having read your blog for the last few months something tells me you won't hold back...
Anon; If you have to ask...
Mama: I've possibly packed a little too much in...maybe I'll have a quiet 2008.
Someone once told me to 'do something that scares you every day' - dunno if I've quite managed that exactly, but I'm getting close. Particularly recently...
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