Conquering your fears

So people who know me well, know that I *could* be described as several, if not all of these words (and not really in any particular order):

• neurotic

• nervous

• scared

• worried

• cautious
  
  Friends have even joked that my ideal job should’ve been a health and safety officer!! I seem to spot danger or imagine potential risky scenarios in most situations. It’s a particularly debilitating condition and means that life can be pretty boring and uninspiring if I don’t really work against this mindset.

  As I’m getting older, I’m especially conscious of this and because I seem to have given birth to four children who are all the opposite, I’m trying hard to lean into a less fearful life and try to challenge myself as much as possible. I don’t want my kids to think that I’m a big scaredy-cat all the time! I’ve realised that being brave is a muscle that needs flexing every day or it becomes weak and the default fear setting quickly takes over again. And the great thing is that when I am brave and challenge myself, while also giving myself a motivating pep talk any sports coach would be proud of, I really love the person I am - I try new things and actually enjoy them - although I still have no interested in bungee jumping or sky diving!

  
  So here’s me being brave and waterskiing on holiday. Not only did I manage to get up and stay up, I actually enjoyed it despite my comical expressions! I didn’t quite manage to ski over the wakes - I’ll leave that til next time but for now I’m grateful that I chose joy and fun over fear and worry. I’m going to keep flexing those muscles as I move forward and challenge myself to embrace new things, no matter how scary they seem. Anyone else relate to this?