Morning glories,
For a year that has sped by, September seemed to pass at a more leisurely pace at my house. How about at yours? Last week was two weeks long. Every day felt like 48 hours! And yet, here we are on the last day of September which means it is time for Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone, 09.2018.
In the first Comfort Zone post, I explained a little bit about the psychology and benefit of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. If you missed that, please click here to read it. Before I get to this month’s activities, have a look at this list of “13 Important Reasons To Try New Things” from a June 2018 article on JobMonkey.
- Meet new people
- Learn about yourself
- Expose yourself to new ideas
- Gives you more things to talk about
- Breaks up the routine of life
- Increases your overall satisfaction
- Alleviates boredom
- Grow as a person
- Become a more interesting person
- Discover things you like and don’t like
- Expand your perspective on life
- Boost your overall confidence level
- Experience more of what life has to offer
So many great benefits from just taking a different way home from work, or starting your grocery shopping on the other side of the store, or wearing your bra on the outside of your shirt. Not really. Just checking to see if you are paying attention. Ha! I encourage you to try something new in this coming month and then….and then…link-up with me to tell the world about it. Mark your agendas, gals, next Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone, 10.31.2018.
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone, 09.2018
You know how PC was working much of the month in another part of the kingdom? That left me a lot of time by myself. Thank goodness, I had my job to get up for every morning. But the weekends were kind of long and lonely which gave me opportunity to try some new experiences.
Here’s how I stepped outside my comfort zone, 09.2018. And the benefits from the list above that I enjoyed by doing these activities.
- Tried a new restaurant for lunch with friends. Chase the Taste’s fish tacos and sweet potato fries. Quite tasty. This activity helped me catch up on the lives of my friends and #11 expand my perspective on life.
- Took myself to a movie. Refrained (by a handful of kernels) from eating this entire bucket of popcorn. Saw “Searching”, which was an interesting movie that helped to #3 alleviate boredom.
- Visited the downtown farmer’s market. Tigua Indian dance performance. I spoke with many of the artists/farmers at the various booths so I #1 met new people and #12 boosted my confidence level. Purchased some succulent soil mix and mixed it into my planters. Began propagating my own plants. Bought supplies to paint rocks after talking with one artist about how she paints hers.
- We have a new market going in near our house. There are several Valley Markets across the city. I wanted to check them out so visited one. Apparently, they specialize in Mexican pastries, cuts of meat and groceries. Ever had a chile relleno? I am very excited now to have our Valley market open, #10 discover things you like and don’t like.
- Changed my own flat tire and took it to be repaired. #2 learned about myself and that I still remember how to change a tire!
- Treated myself to sushi at another new restaurant. Aki Sushi. Had been eating the same ole same ole so having sushi was a treat, #5 broke up the routine of life (and dinner time).
- Attended a free masking painting activity sponsored by the El Paso Museum of Art. #13 experience more of what life (and El Paso) has to offer.
- Visited the new west side campus of our church 2 Sunday mornings by myself. Even wore a dress! #3 exposed myself to new ideas and #8 grew as a person.
September was a great month for stretching myself and broadening my horizons. And doing so gave me things to talk about with my PC. Our almost 3 weeks apart became an opportunity for me to grow.
I am still listening to Ruth Soukup’s “Do It Scared” podcasts. They are full of wise words, advice for stepping outside my comfort zone, a challenging me to set goals and meet them.
Your Turn
How did you stretch and challenge yourself this month? Doesn’t it feel good to try something new? Think of all those brain cells we grew by keeping ourselves engaged. According to an article “How to Grow New Brain Cells and Make Yourself Smarter” at Daring To Live Fully:
Cognitive stimulation increases hippocampal neurogenesis. What does this mean? It means that you need to keep your brain engaged: learn new skills, interact with other people, travel, try new things, and keep stepping outside of your comfort zone.
So, we need to keep at it! And meet back here on the last day of each month to share the ways we’ve grown. If you have a Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone, 09.2018 post to link-up, please do!
I was thankful to have all of you visiting and hanging out with me while my Prince Charming was away. Thank you for your friendship!
Hugs and kisses,
Nancy
Most things I can t or dare not to do! Brave of you! Enjoy your Sunday!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Wish you would join us for Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone. It could be a fashion post where you try some new trend that is a stretch for you. Think about it and come join in on the last day of October!
Gail
Very impressed with your achievements! And where have you been hiding those legs girl? I have no idea how to change a tyre so you have my utmost respect!
Kellyann Rohr
Wow Leslie this is so motivating! I love the idea of this and agree wholeheartedly about stepping out of one’s comfort zone and how beneficial it is. I need to make a list and tackle some things. I re read the sentence about wearing your bra on the outside of your shirt three times before moving on and seeing where you were going with that – ha! You got me!
You had such rich experiences in September! I really need to give this some thought and set some goals for myself. All the things I keep thinking I need to do, I in fact, do need to do!
xo,
Kellyann
Dara
You did so many great things this month. Great job!
Amy
I’m most impressed that you changed your own tire! Wow! I struggle just putting air in my tire. ha ha!
Daenel T.
Wow! You’ve done a lot over the last month. I can’t believe you changed your own tire. I had my tire blow and a bunch of guys walked out, looked at my truck, mumbled and expletive and then walked back inside the building {it was that loud}. About 15 minutes later, a very sick man saw me and changed my tire. I was so grateful. He wouldn’t accept any money or anything. But it made me realize that I really do need to learn basic car maintenance. That striped dress you’re wearing is cute! Here’s to more growth!!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Wow, unbelievable that none of those guys offered to help you with your blown tire! Jerks!! It is a nice feeling to be able to show those guys who’s boss and change your tire yourself. Thank goodness for the sweet very sick man…a true gentleman.
Natalie
Well done, Leslie! Look how many fun and new experiences you had when you stepped outside your comfort zone. Keep on living well.
ShootingStarsMag
I swear I was going to link up with you, but I didn’t have time to write the post so it will be coming soon and I’ll link up in October. But go you for going out and doing things by yourself and learning new things about yourself, etc. I’ve never gone to the movies by myself before but I DO want to.
-Lauren
Joanne Long
I was away most of September but I am hosting the book club for the first time today.
Carrie @ Curly Crafty Mom
I love reading these posts, Leslie. I go and see a movie by myself 2-3 times a year and I just love it! I actually went a couple of weeks ago. You look so pretty before church and I spy some blue/white stripes! ha! I would love to branch out and meet some new people. I did have some blogger events recently that helped me to do that, but I need to do it more.
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Ha!! I am smiling from ear-to-ear at your comment about blue and white stripes on me! It is absolutely one of my favorite looks for YOU! Guess I was channeling my inner Carrie.
Going to the movies alone is not bad at all, huh? I figured I would really feel strange or uncomfortable but once the movie begins, your focus switches from being their alone to the popcorn and the movie!! And I got a whole lot more popcorn when I was by myself. Shhh, don’t tell PC I said that.
Wish we could meet up there are lots of bloggers I like and follow but you are one I have always felt a special connection with. I wish I had a pal I could do things with here or wish we had a few couples that we could play Pictionary with, or go to a university football game with or things like that. Like this long weekend, it might be nice to have a couple to hike with or go on a walk with. Not sure how folks find friends!!