I Triple Dog Dare You…
By Alison Stoner
I Triple Dog Dare You…
Is your heart rate elevated? Are you feeling 5th grade Truth or Dare vibes? That idea surely will raise your heart rate!
Know something else that has really made me nervous? The idea of trying something new.
Sometime in the middle of January the idea of trying new things popped into my head and I’ve not been able to quiet it since. And because I can’t live in my misery alone, I’m planting it in your mind too.
Because, yes, trying new things scares me. It elevates my heart rate just like a good dare does in a game that’s meant to be fun.
So, I triple dog dare you… to try something new.
And, it doesn’t have to be like bungee jumping or motorcycle riding (although if you’re an adrenaline junky maybe that is your thing), but instead it can be a new hobby, a new recipe, or even a new fashion style (like actually trying baggy jeans instead of skinny ones).
As I have thought the last couple weeks about this idea of trying something new I was reminded of the things in the past that were once new but now I can say that I have tried. Things like baking, hand-lettering, and long-distance running once really intimated me.
Because that’s the real thing that’s getting your heart rate pumping… new things are intimidating simply because there are so many unknowns.
I’m a creature of comfort so it’s very easy for me to stay within my cushy areas of life. The things that I know well, feel confident in, and could even teach others about. For me, trying something new brings a lot of different fears.
What if I fail? There’s most definitely a chance that I will dip my toes into something that I’m not good at, and I’m starting to realize that’s ok. For instance, I’m not really great at embroidery. I am a pretty crafty person, and many of my friends have found the hobby to be really relaxing, but I struggle with separating the threads (that’s the first step if you’re not familiar). Another thing that I’m not confident in that I’ve tried is skiing. My in-laws have become a big ski family and we take an annual ski trip each winter. Thankfully I’ve had the excuse of having to stay with the little ones on the bunny hill so that I haven’t had to face my real skiing fear: tumbling down a ski slope…
What if I don’t like it? I don’t know if you can relate to this or not, but I often feel like I need to embody a persona. For example, I need to become a Beach Body babe or the Homesteader Homeschool Mom. Like, if I don’t fully embrace all of the generalizations then I can’t be accepted into that group. One thing I hated that I tried: Sourdough making. We are crunchy and pro making things from scratch, but I absolutely hated the pressure and time-consuming task that was tending to my sourdough starter. If you try something and it’s not for you, simply give yourself permission to stop. I can still be crunchy and BUY my sourdough bread instead of making it myself.
What if I don’t have time for it? This is a big one for me because I’m most definitely an all-or-nothing type of girl. When I start hobbies or new routines I feel like I have to do it everyday all day (ok, maybe that’s a slight exaggeration). This mindset isn’t super healthy, I won’t lie, and it’s definitely not sustainable. An example of this in my life is working out. I believe this lie that if I take a “rest” day from working out then I’ll never get back to working out again. Additionally, I ran a half marathon years ago and haven’t been able to consistently run again. Most recently, I almost didn’t begin this fun junk journaling activity because I was afraid I’d do one page and never return to it. Some things you try out can literally be done just once to try it on. And, not all new things need to become a consistent part of your daily routine.
So many “what ifs”. They cripple me and get that heart bumping. But I’ve found that a change of perspective can switch that anxiousness to excitement pretty quickly!
What if I really enjoy it? For me personally, I’m grateful I took the risk of learning how to garden. I didn’t know a thing about planting flowers, but over the last few years, I’ve done a ton of research so that each year my little front yard garden can grow. It’s been a gradual thing, but it’s also been so rewarding and enjoyable. I’ve also found that I love baking. It’s a relaxing experience for me - a time where I can relax my mind and bless others (and myself) with a warm, sweet treat.
Trying new things has stretched me in a lot of beautiful ways. It’s a good thing to break out of your comfort zone sometimes! By taking the dare, I’ve learned a lot about myself, have proven that I can do hard things, and have found new loves. The last couple of weeks got me thinking about new things that I really would like to try. None of them are wild or crazy, but they are still activities that are going to get my mind, body, and emotions working in new ways.
Here’s my list:
Homemade bagels
Lifting with heavier weights
A science fiction read
It’s a short list, but it’s also a list that is ever growing. As we are exposed to more and more things, our wonder and curiosity grows.
So, as your internet friend…
I triple dog dare you to do the new thing you’ve been too nervous to try!