Sweet friends,
Time for Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone, 05.2018. The monthly post where I can brag about doing even the tiniest things that scare me just a little bit. “Scare” isn’t exactly the right verb…but things that make me antsy as my mother would say.
This is my third post in the series. In the first one, I explained a little bit about the psychology and benefit of stepping outside one’s comfort zone. If you missed that post, please click here to read it. In April, I enjoyed attempting to dance to Afghanistan music at Brennyn’s bridal shower. Read about that experience and my other activities last month, here.
And now that you are all caught up, let’s have a look at the ways I stepped outside my comfort zone in May.
Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone, 05.2018
I should always begin these posts with a disclaimer that what stretches my limits and challenges my boundaries, may seem like a walk in the park to you. Bear in mind, though, I am shy, 60 and socially awkward with 2 left feet and 2 brown thumbs!!
- Attended my first and second barre classes at Pure Barre Kern Place. For so long, I’ve admired the hard work and dedication of my friend Andrea at Andrea’s Wellness Notes to the barre classes she takes. And now that I have dabbled in barre, myself, I am even more impressed by Andrea! This is one tough workout. Holy smokes! Almost more than this left-footed grandma/librarian is able to manage. My first class was free, then bought 3 more sessions (what was I thinking?). Completed my second class but then went out of town. Now, the question is: do I go back for my remaining sessions to see if it gets easier (or kills me)? Or do I just chalk it up to an experience tried and survived? In the first photo below, you’ll notice my eyes have rolled back into my head.
- Prepared paperwork for and attended a court hearing about the lawsuit we have against our pool builder. Our attorney’s representative (and our attorney, who removed himself from our case, for that matter) was a real jack rabbit. I spoke right up to him in my angriest 60 year-old, shy girl voice. Everything is still a mess and we are not much closer to getting things resolved than we were before the hearing. Know that another series of grumbling and complaining ‘little letters’ is on the horizon. In the meantime, read my last batch, here.
- Put together and put to use the carpet cleaner my daughters gave me for Mother’s Day. When I was a single mom, doing things like this was undaunting because there was no one else to do it. Now days, I often defer the putting together of things to my PC. But I need to get over it. There was no reason in the world I couldn’t attach the handle and water reservoir to this carpet cleaner and pour in the shampoo myself. And I did just that. Then proceeded to clean all of the carpets and area rugs upstairs.
- Last but not least, I stood on the sidelines at the Boston tribute band concert we attended, and danced to the cupid shuffle. Not brave enough to take to the dance floor alone and PC can never find his ‘dancing shoes’. But just wait til we go to Brennyn and Mustafa’s wedding celebration in Ft. Worth in a few weeks. I am going to be sure PC’s dancing shoes are packed!!
There you have my attempts at trying to shake things up a bit. While none of these activities really scared me, well, maybe the court hearing just a little, they all took me out of my comfort zone for sure. Felt good to stretch myself, even in barre class!
Do It Scared
For some time, I have followed blogger extraordinaire Ruth Soukup at Living Well, Spending Less. She has great tips for building your best life and healthy, delicious recipes, too. Ruth recently began a podcast series entitled “Do It Scared”. Sound familiar? Great minds, huh? She describes the the series this way:
Do It Scared® with Ruth Soukup is the podcast created to help you face your fears, overcome adversity, and create a life you LOVE. Each week you’ll discover actionable strategies for greater productivity, motivation, entrepreneurship, creativity, fulfillment, success, and happiness, along with the motivation and encouragement to actually start making real changes that lead to big results. Each week we’ll address topics that delve into those things that we are so afraid of, and how it holds us back in our day to day lives—then focus on easy-to-implement advice for how we can face our fears and overcome adversity in order to create a life we truly love. The podcast will also feature bi-weekly interviews with authors, influencers, and other notable guests who have dared to do it scared in their own lives. [source]
Because I had never listened to a podcast before, doing so was a teensy weensy bitty bit outside my comfort zone. I have begun listening while I craft in my loft or spring clean the upstairs of our house. Hoping that these podcasts will help give me the push I need to get busier and more serious about my book writing. Even won a ‘do it scared’ tee and bumper sticker. Pictured below with my carpet cleaner, inspiring me to put it together. That HAS to be a sign, right?
Wore my ‘do it scared’ tee today for my hair cut and color (always a little scary to me), dropping off PC’s stool sample at the lab (waaaaay out of my comfort zone) and picking up the reimbursement check from our (former) lawyer that I fought hard for.
New ‘do. Will be stepping outside my comfort zone in trying to replicate the way Connie styled my hair today.
Your Turn
What have you done to stretch yourself this month? Have you tried a new activity? Maybe worn your hair differently? Eaten a new food, prepared a new recipe? Would love to be inspired by YOU! Please leave a comment below with ways you stepped outside your comfort zone this month. And if you have a stepping outside my comfort zone, 05.2018 post to share, please link up with us. Just click on the froggy button.
Looking forward to the weekend. Hope you have something planned that takes you beyond your comfort zone! There’s a free Fleetwood Mac tribute band concert here. Might need those dancing shoes sooner than I thought.
Hugs and kisses,
pat
Leslie, I’ve incorporated stepping out of my comfort zone into my everyday thinking! This is combined with trying to do 52 new things this year (a post coming-up on status). Not all 52 new things will be out of my comfort zone, but some of them have been. The scariest this month… something I was encouraged to try to eat. We went with a very adventurous foodie group to a pig-head dinner. Yes, the main course was a pig’s head… cooked over a 3-day period and considered quite the culinary experience. I was one of the folks that tried the pig’s eye. And tongue and ears and jowls… but the eye was the true out of comfort zone moment! And no, I will not do it again. I’m connecting to the link up with something else that was out of my comfort zone this past month… meditation podcast. Not quite as crazy and a better topic for a full blog post. 🙂
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Pat! A pig-head dinner. Girl, you get a gold star for that. Heavens. I remember in another lifetime long ago, we went to a pig roast. A Filipino pig roast. That baby was underground in a pit simmering for days, too. No bueno.
Glad you stuck with timider challenges for this month. Meditation would have the opposite affect, I think, on one’s emotions and mental state from a pig-head dinner.
pat
Hi, not sure how I’m visiting again… either Comfort Zone or MLSTL links (LOL). I’m totally loving this idea of pushing outside my comfort zone … thanks for inspiring me.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Will be so happy to have you join again for Comfort Zone. And invite your pals!!!
Daenel T.
Way to go! I’m so proud of you for standing up for yourself with your pool issues. I just can’t imagine how frustrating that must be after all of this time.
Your cut is cute. Isn’t it funny how you watch the hairstylist and they’re like these amazing hair styling machines and they’re all “Oh, girl, you can do this at home…” The next day you look like your two-year-old styled you. LOL WHAT DO THEY DO?????
Sorry. Can you tell I have hair issues? LOL
Amber
I’ve been listening to that podcast lately too! That plus the new devotional I’m doing (100 Days to Brave by Annie Downs) have really got me looking past my comfort zone lately. Proud of what all you did last month!
Debs
Well done – especially for what you did in the court room – no way I could ever do something like that! Love the new hair style; I know what you mean about trying to make it look the same when you do it yourself, must be some magic in the shampoo they use in the salon!
Dara
You’re doing great! It’s so impressive and inspiring!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you! Come join us next month. Last day of the month.
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
Wow! What a month you have had and I would love to try a Barre class. You have inspired me to make enquiries. I find it hard to listen or remember to listen to podcasts Leslie so another thing you have reminded me about. I’m loving this series you started and look forward to see what we all get up to in June.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
How’s that baby!!!??? Hope everyone has settled into a new routine at home with Elliot.
I am liking this comfort zone series to because it makes me think. And not automatically hide away from something I would normally be scared to do. Going to the movies with two girlfriends today which is totally out of my comfort zone! Bet you do it all the time!!
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
Hi Leslie, the baby is just so adorable and I’ve spent the morning just cuddling him. Rachel is so calm and looks fabulous already. I love your comfort zone idea although I need to think of something for June. I’m also loving the book club and can’t put the book down. Great to have you link up with us at #MLSTL. Have a wonderful week! 🙂 xx
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Thank you, Sue! Glad to read that Rachel and Elliot are doing well. Hope Ethan has embraced baby brother.
I have been overjoyed with everyone’s response to the book club. Never dreamed it would take off like it did. Was just something I did on a whim. About to finish the book myself. Hope we can find a second book that everyone will be equally excited about.
Natalie
Well done, Leslie, with a variety of activities in May! I hope that you’ll win your case in court. I just returned from my travels in Europe and am catching up with blog comments. Have a great June!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Glad you are home safe and sound after another of your glorious adventures. We are still in the midst of this pool mess but I feel like there just might be some positive resolution coming. Hallelujah!
Leanne | www.crestingthehill.com.au
I love that you’ve found little things to step out with Leslie – if we wait around for something big to come along then we miss the chance to try new things. I went to my first Tai Chi class last week and if I manage to maintain attendance (I’m also an un-coordinated pre-60 year old!) then I’ll be posting on it and will link up with you next month xx
Thanks for linking up with us at #MLSTL and I’ve shared this on my SM xx
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
Jennifer
I love this post! I often post about trying new things which include a lot of scary (for me) things. My biggest fear is height, so I’ve gone hiking up mountains and even learned downhill skiing (which I hated) in order to face my fear. It’s not about conquering it, I don’t think I’ll ever get over the fear. But it is about feeling the fear and doing it anyway.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Jennifer, come join me for the Comfort Zone posts. Our next post will be 06.30. And your ‘stepping’ can be baby steps or something huge!! I send email reminders to those who are interested along with the link-up codes. Please let me know if I may add you!! Your comment is so wise and would be helpful to so many. We may not conquer our fears but we can feel and acknowledge the fear, and carry on anyway. Bravo to you for hiking and skiing when you are uncomfortable about height. Well done, girl!
Candi Randolph
Everyone has their individual limits and things that take them outside of what they know and are comfortable with. I love your honesty in sharing the day to day activities that are a stretch for you. (Well, the lawsuit thing isn’t day to day be any means…those situations always scared me!). I love your new hairstyle!
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Aww, Candi, thank you for coming by and for leaving a kind word. I wish I could style my hair like the gal at the salon did but alas, I am back to my same ole, same ole look. Dad gum it!
You are so right in saying we all have individual limits and things that are beyond what we are comfortable doing. Sometimes, I think back on things I’ve done in not so long ago days and wonder how I had the gumption to do them. Zip-lining, for one. And speaking before over a hundred new teachers in our school district. Hosting a regular TV show for ten years! Ha!! I think we are often braver than we know.
Would love to have you join us for the Stepping Outside my Comfort Zone series. Come link-up!! Our next post will be 06.30. And your ‘stepping’ can be baby steps or something huge!! I send email reminders to those who are interested along with the link-up codes. Please let me know if I may add you!!
Christine Westermark
Wow – the court date is a big deal for anyone. Standing up for yourself and what is right. I have been stepping outside my comfort zone to travel the world with my family. However, as the year winds up it is hard to remember why I was so frightened to begin with.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
This pool deal and our court hearing are making me brave in ways I would just as soon not have to be, ha!! Spent the afternoon today, filing a complaint with the State Bar of Texas, Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel against our attorney. Makes me tired and nervous and very anxious.
I haven’t traveled overseas much but was especially frightened when my Prince and I went to France in 2009. I had a terrible feeling about the trip. It almost interfered with my being able to enjoy the anticipation of going to Europe. But all was well on our trip, and once we arrived in Paris, I was over the fear. Like you, I couldn’t remember why I was so worried to begin with.
Would love to have you join us for the Stepping Outside my Comfort Zone series. Come link-up!! Our next post will be 06.30. And your ‘stepping’ can be baby steps or something huge!! I send email reminders to those who are interested along with the link-up codes. Please let me know if I may add you!!
Debbie
I’m enjoying these posts Leslie, and good on you for stepping outside your comfort zone. It’s so good for us to try different things sometimes. While I’m travelling at the moment I’m making an effort too. I recently went on a zip wire whichever I sent huge as I’m scared of heights. I featured a video in a recent okstand it’s so funny watching it back.
Keep on doing what you’re doing and good luck!! #mlstl
Molly
I am so impressed you made it through more than one barre class. I always envied the dancers in high school, but I fear it is long past my time to try barre work. OR… perhaps this is one small step I can try to take outside my comfort zone (?) Your post is quite encouraging 🙂
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Wow, Molly, thank you so much for your kind comment about my comfort zone post. Would love to have you join me for this series. We can all inspire others to try something new in their lives, to take that step, to push the envelope. I post on the last day of each month and have an email group that I send reminders and the link-up codes to a week or so before the posts go live. If you are interested…say yes, say yes, send me an email at mommyhon333@hotmail.com to let me know. Or just reply to this message.
The barre classes were so tough. I have 2 more classes I’ve paid for but now that I’ve sampled barre, I am not sure I would be able to do it regularly. It is just that tough for me. So onward and upward to new experiences!!
Donna McNicol
I loved reading this…got to add you to my blog reader list. I tried, I mean I really tried. Hubby is out of town for three weeks and never got our HUGE pressure washer fixed. Our back deck and patio furniture need washing so bad so I got him to order a small electric on for me.
It arrived and I tried to put it together…I really tried. The wheels are on, the handle is on, the hose holder is on…then I tried to put the two wand pieces together. No matter what I do, I can’t do it. Argh! So now waiting for hubby to get home and finish the assembly.
But I tried!
#MLSTL visitor (shared on SM)
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Bless your heart, you sure did give putting the pressure washer together a good try. And you almost got the thing put together completely. Your hubs just had to tweak something, I’m sure, but you did the hard work!!
Would love to have you join us for the Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone series. I am just getting the series off the ground. But it has been well received. I think because we all have little things that we want to do but are ‘scared’ to try. This series has pushed me to…well, step outside my comfort zone and try new things. If you are interested in joining us, I have a little email group that I send reminders and the link up codes about a week before our posts go live, which is the last day of each month. So please consider this a round of applause for all of your hard work on the power washer, and a cordial invitation to join our group.
Christie Hawkes
I love that–Do it scared! I do believe it’s good to stretch yourself out of your comfort zone. I resist it mightily, but I am rarely disappointed when I do something outside of my comfort zone. This month I rode a bike for the first time in over 20 years, and I did it in the presence of my coworkers. I also hired someone to do an audit of my blog and transition to https. My youngest daughter just flew to Greece–by herself. It is her first time outside of the U.S. and her first time flying by herself. But she was highly motivated by the fact that her boyfriend lives there. 🙂
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Oh, Christie, look at you go, girl!!! Join up with us for the next post! You have some great accomplishments to brag about. Bravo for riding a bike again in front of an audience. But they say you never forget how! I started with https…not sure how or why but I have learned so much from blogging. Who says you can’t teach an old librarian new tricks!?
I remember my youngest daughter flew to France to meet a guy she had ‘met’ online when she was in college. I was worried sick. SICK! But it turned out okay. Other than the gray hair it gave me. You never quite being a mommy, doesn’t matter how old your babies get to be. Hope you will think about joining us.
Victoria
They wouldn’t call it the comfort zone if it wasn’t so comfortable. lol I have a hard time stepping out myself but as I have aged I get better. My stepdaughter has been telling me about her barre class but she is 40 I am 67. I tried yoga for a couple of months and finally walked away when it left me hurting more than it seemed to help so there is nothing wrong with moving on to something that seems a better fit.
Leslie Roberts Clingan
Come join us, Victoria, for the comfort zone posts. We share them on the last day of the month. And whatever you share doesn’t have to be earth-shaking but just a stretch for you. Yoga would be a stretch for me. I have tried it here at home with a video tape but didn’t like it, probably because it was hard for me to do.
You can inspire others with the activities you try outside your comfort zone. If you are interested in joining us, please email me at mommyhon333@hotmail.com or just leave me a message here. I can add you to our email group and send you the link-up codes for our posts. Come join us!!