I don't mind doing things alone. Actually, I prefer it that way a lot of the time. I like to get things done and get them done in a time efficient manor. My life is structured and I thrive in that environment.
One of the downsides of that is the fact that I don't exactly like to try new things. Everything that I already do consists of things that I'm content with. What if I try a new thing and it's disappointing? Then I had a disappointing experience and I missed an opportunity to have what I would have known would be a good experience.
That's the thought process.
So I think about things that I'd like to do and get so close to doing them but back away at the last minute.
Getting out of my comfort zone, no thank you.
Well that's how I feel but I'm constantly working on pushing through those feelings and doing the things that I think would be good to try.
I work to get out of my head and into my life.
Yesterday I went to Pittsburgh. I was out of probiotics and that was my main reasoning for going. I didn't want to make the 60 minute trip just to grab some bottles of probiotics and head back home though. I pondered on what else I could do and I thought about taking a yoga class. It's something I've been wanting to do for a while. I've only taken one other yoga class in Pittsburgh. It was at a hot yoga studio and shortly after taking that class I found out that I can't do hot yoga due to heart problems. After that experience I stopped trying for a while and made the excuse that a lot of studios in Pittsburgh are hot yoga studios and I couldn't go to them although I wanted to. I stuck to just taking yoga classes in NYC when I was able to go to Strala a few times a year. Strala is what I consider my home studio and where I feel most comfortable. And like I said, comfort is key.
Anyways, I was thinking about trying to find a Pittsburgh studio to take a class. I wasn't sure where to go though. I've been aware of Yoga Love for a while now and for some reason I was drawn towards it. I decided that was the place to try.
So yesterday morning rolls around. I get up, teach yoga, and head to the city. The first thing I was planning to do was take the yoga class.
I was SO NERVOUS.
Crazy, right?
I can lead a yoga class of my own and practice yoga every day but going to a public class in a new space freaks me out.
I thought of a million reasons how I could possibly talk myself out of going and easily could have went with one of those excuses and moved on with my day.
I didn't do that though. I went to the yoga class which resulting in going outside of my comfort zone, too.
I walked in, signed up, laid out my mat, flowed though the practice, and ended up having an amazing time. Literally none of the fears that kept popping up were valid. Nothing terrible happened. I didn't die or have the worst experience in the world. Actually, it was quite the opposite of that.
I will be going back to the studio to take more classes in the future when I happen to be in the city. Even though I know that my fears were irrational I'm no longer worried or nervous about doing it again in the future. I have expanded my comfort zone to reach new places. I recognized that the things I was afraid of weren't going to happen and were simply things that I made up in my head.
This isn't only relevant in taking yoga classes. It's relatable in almost every aspect of life. There are so many things that we want to do but fear stops us. A lot of the time the fear is a way to keep us safely tucked inside our little bubble of comfort. It's up to us to decide if we want to stay where we're at or if we want to go further and expand outward.
Trying new things and squashing the fear mentality is key. It's not easy but it's worth it. Starting by getting out of your head and into your life. I think you'll be able to tell which path you want to take from there.