Why every time that I read the title of this post do I start singing ‘Part of Your World’ from The Little Mermaid? If you just got that song in your head, sorry (but also you’re welcome).
Little Mermaid aside, I never really thought I’d be writing a post like this because I’m someone who likes routines and my comfort zones, they make me feel safe, secure and stable. Even when I was little I would literally eat the same foods day in and day out and never get sick of them (peanut butter sandwiches every day for 6 years is serious love). I’ve never had a problem with being like this either, probably because I’ve always had spurts of spontaneity in my life like when I travel for example where I leave my comfort zones and then by the time I come home I’ll happily slip back into my routines and not really notice. Then I read this quote:
My first reaction to reading that? Oh shit. It was like a slap in the face from life telling me to wake up and start living, not just existing. I’ve managed to achieve a lot from within my comfort zones but I’m starting to feel like those days are behind me and it’s time for change. My routines keep me stable but the problem with stability is that you’re in a fixed position, never moving forward.
2017 for me so far has been a year of breaking bad habits and changing my life from something I am content with to something I am actually proud of. It’s about shaking things up, pushing myself, doing new things, having more adventures, letting more people in and not letting my head (thanks anxiety) hold me back from doing the things I want to do.
I am on a mission to expand my world and if this sounds all too familiar to you, here’s how you can too.
Make the most of blogging.
When I first created The Sunday Mode I didn’t know what I was doing and I created posts just for the sake of it. Now I’m blogging with a purpose. No longer will I be too nervous to post something for fear that people will think I’m ‘weird’ or judge me, this space of the internet is going to be carved into something quite special (I hope) that really reflects who I am.
Whether your blog is your job, hobby or passion project, open up your world by making the most of your platform. You have a voice and I’d really encourage you to use it. Figure out if you want your posts to help, comfort, motivate, inspire or teach and work toward that. You can also open up your world by cultivating new skills that relate to your blog, whether that’s polishing up your writing, learning coding or experimenting with photography or photoshop. Take more risks and push yourself to expand your skill set, that way you’re not set in a cycle of doing the same things all the time.
I’m well aware that over-thinking can’t be stopped overnight (if only…) but I know you definitely can’t solve it by sitting at home thinking about over-thinking, oh hell to the no. Get out there in the world and give your brain a break for a while, remembering that what your inner voice or worrisome mind tells you isn’t necessarily true, not even in the slightest. I mean you don’t have to be too extreme about it and suddenly go skydiving, just try not to spend too much time thinking about things to a ridiculous point. Instead, try saying yes more to shut your brain up and break out of those comfort zones.
Personally I think a great deal of people in this world are too close minded and believe their opinions and beliefs are the only ones that count, but that kind of mind frame narrows your world so much. Be open and learn, listen to people’s opinions, read up on different religions, explore spirituality, the list goes on. There is so much information and knowledge out there if you just open yourself up to it.
Don’t let your mind hold you back, once you figure out what you really want in life, start thinking about what small (or large) steps you could take to get you there. Everyone always assumes that there will be a ‘later’ in their lives but the realism of it is that there isn’t for every person. I for one would hate to die knowing I hadn’t actually accomplished anything I wanted to. What on earth is the benefit in not going full force toward what you want in life? I guess what I’m saying is don’t be afraid to step outside of the comfort zones that currently make up your life.
(Okay, reading back on this post it does sound a bit like I’ve been watching Eat Pray Love one too many times but hey, what can you do.)