We’re going to put all our hard work on positivity into action this week with a challenge that might push many of you outside of your comfort zones. This week, I want you to put yourself out there and try something new.

How does this relate to positivity? What’s your thought process when you decide not to try something new? Does it go something like this:

Oh, hey, here’s a cool event that I’d like to go to. But I don’t know anyone who’s going. Well, I could go by myself. But what if I get lost on the way there? And what if everyone there already knows each other? And I won’t have anyone to talk to. And they’ll look at me like I’m that weirdo loner person. And I’ll probably get there early and be even more awkward. You know, it’s just not worth going because it’s not it matters whether I go or not since no one I know is going. And I have lots of Game of Thrones to read, so, it’s just better all around if I just stay home. Yeah, good decision.

The amount of negative self-talk contained in a line of reasoning like that is astounding when you break it down. You’re devaluing yourself and talking yourself out of experiencing new things and potentially meeting new people who share your interests. Granted, everyone has times where a date with the couch, some PJs, some wine, and Jon Snow’s gorgeous hair sounds much more enticing than a sweaty club or finding a new place in the dark, but when this kind of self-defeating thinking becomes the norm, you could probably benefit from shaking yourself out of it. Recently, I was invited to join a book club. The only person I knew in it wasn’t going to be able to go to the first meeting that I could. I psyched myself up, printed out the map from Facebook, and picked up some snacks to bring. When I started following the directions, I realized that Facebook showed the entirely wrong area… I was all the way across town from where I should be. I would be so late, at this new place where I knew no one, and be the flaky one who thought the person lived at the other end of town. I wanted to just go home and cuddle with my husband and dog. But, damnit, I’d read the book and had the snacks and what did it matter if I was a few minutes late? I arrived with plenty of wine and cheese enjoying time to spare before the discussion started, and met a great group of new people. All because I didn’t let my first impulse of negativity talk me down from it.

This Week’s Challenge

Try something new. When your doubts creep in, remind yourself that it’s natural to be iffy about new things, but also remind yourself of all the things you wouldn’t have experienced in the past if you gave in to negative impulses. Come back and tell us all about the cool new things you’ve tried this week.

This Week’s Mantra

A mantra not only applicable to this week, but so many others: “Fear of failure must never be a reason not to try something.” – Frederick Smith

 

If you want a reminder of your mantra for the next week, feel free to click the image above to download the full-size version suitable for desktop wallpapers, printing, or framing.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional or mental health expert, and there are problems that positivity cannot overcome, so please do not take this advice in lieu of a doctor’s care.

Not all challenges will be relevant to everyone, so I welcome you to come and go as you please and take from each challenge what works for you! Please make sure to share your thoughts in the comments!