Speed skating is officially over for the season and although I tried to wrangle my way into a Sunday night summer session, it turns out those sessions are for the young’uns. Meaning, the skaters who race and are actually good.
That means I have five months of no speed skating and only Friday night public skates to practice crossovers and not being afraid of going fast, which is putting a bit of a damper on the whole “speed” in this speed skating thing.
The thing is, I write this blog for me but what I really want is for it to inspire you. To show you that if a 41 year old, non-athletic, non-coordinated mom can get out and try speed skating, then maybe you can get out and try something too. If this blog motivated even just a few of you to go outside of your comfort zone and try something you had always wanted to try but were maybe just a little too afraid to do, I’d be one happy camper. And I don’t even like camping.
But if I sat on my ass for the next five months and did nothing, which….let’s be frank…is actually quite enticing, it wouldn’t be very inspiring, would it? I can’t be all “Look at me eating chips and drinking wine, now you there, yes, you, the one reading this blog, go do something outside of your comfort zone”. That right there is called “lacking credibility”. Like when I swear to my children I didn’t eat anything from their Halloween stash and they point to the smudge of chocolate beside my lip.
So I’ve come up with a plan.
I’m making this the summer of stepping outside my comfort zone. Like the summer of George but without the slipping on the stairs and maybe never walking again. And not just with exercise stuff either. I’m committing to myself, and to you, to try things that make me feel uncomfortable or even fearful.*
And you’re going to join me.
Oh yes, you are.
For the next five months, I’m going to do things that take outside my comfort zone – from the small “typing in a font other than Arial 10” to the big “public speaking” and everything in between – then I’m going to write about it.
But this works both ways….I want you to go out and try things outside of your comfort zone too. Then let me know – email me, leave a comment, write a blog….whatever. Or if you’re not quite up to it, then send me suggestions on what you think I should try and I’ll do my best to do it. Within reason and all that.
I’m not gonna lie… it’s scary going outside your cozy zone of comfort, there’s a reason we stay in it. But if for one brief moment you put the routine of your life aside and just tried?
The feeling is indescribable.
Together we’re going to inspire other moms to get out of their rut and back in the game.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go find where my boys hid their Halloween bags.
*This does not include sexual positions thankyouverymuch
I’m so in.
My 5 months will turn me from a frumpy monkey to a woman who knows how to dress the dress and talk the talk. From Geek to Chic I say!
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I went and joined the women’s soccer league in my area (I have never played soccer before but watch my kids from the sidelines with a drink in hand every summer so that must count for experience, no?) – and then I got completely bummed cause they said they were full. So i’m on a waiting list. but the woman tried to pump me up by saying there’s always a couple that drop out….so I’m alternating between “I hope i get on a team” and “what the hell was i drinking when i signed up”
I understand that feeling – the wanting to and hoping it won’t happen. So I’m going to send out my amazing psychic vibes in hopes that you get in – because I know how awesome it will be if you do.
I don’t understand how you aren’t willing to try the cowgirl lapdance but you’d write a post is *comic sans 14*??
It’s actually the other way around – I’d have a harder time writing a post in comic sans. Yee haw!
I don’t know…arial font really rocks. I’m just saying.
I have issues…. I can’t write unless it’s Arial 10 pt. I may need therapy.
I’m gonna try mountain biking – DH has tried to get me to get a new bike for YEARS and join him at this… now is the Summer!!!! Wooohooo! It scares the bejeebers outta me, but if you can skate, I can certainly see what it’s like to fly over some handlebars.
And “That guy is coming home in a body bag” just played from the youTube link. I really hope that’s not an omen.
watch for me to Tweet from traction sometime in May
When you say mountain biking, are you going to do actual trails? Or is it more along the lines of riding a mountain bike around your neighbourhood? They have a great trail system up at the Horse Shoe Adventure Park – maybe you and your hubby could make a date. Apparently there’s paramedics only moments away – I asked.
Shoot….you just had to go and challenge me
Okay I’ll take your 5 month challenge…for starters I will begin yoga three days a week in May, I am now hiking up a hill behind our house everyday (going on week 3) it’s an hour and I have not missed a single day (won’t let myself because if I slack off for just one day…it’s over!), I will write 2 children’s book (in my Rainbow Bunch series) and I will take on learning how to cook because it’s not my thing and definitely not in my comfort zone! So there is my starter list 
PS
I still think you should write a book :p
Good for you Kia!! And hiking is uphill HARD. You’re going to have an ass you can bounce quarters off of. I may have to try it when I meet you.
Tackle football sounds awesome!
I’m going to start running outside. I only do treadmill and track and know I look absolutely stupid doing it as I gasp for my last breath and try to not vomit. But I am going to take it outside, get fresh air and after all much better to throw up on the sidewalk :p
Sharon I’ll be checking back in to see how you are doing. Your honesty motivates me. Thank you.
Taking it from the treadmill to outside is hard – there’s hills and shit out there. I know, I’ve done it. I’ll be joining you in the going outside thing as soon as the weather gets nice. We’ll vomit together
I said “pull my finger” to my daughter and then actually followed through on the action. I am liberated!
Way to take my life’s journey and turn it into a fart joke Candace.
LMAO!!!! What? I said to Ava this morning “Let’s spend some special time together tonight? What do you want to do?”
It’s a sign of love.
“Fart” she said. You see? I can’t get away from the fart joke. I felt the need to include you.
Just as you’re finishing your adventure, I’m starting mine! I’ve joined a women’s tackle football league and will have my first playing experience on Mother’s Day weekend. I’m equal parts excited and scared stupid!! It’s not the contact part that’s scaring me either; it’s the “what if I screw up??” voices in my head…
I’ll be 41 this summer, and I’ve NEVER played any kind of sport. EVER. So, here goes nothing!!
I’m so proud of you!!! Although…the tackling thing would have me more than a little worried *picture me running away waving arms in the air*
Chances are there’ll be some new people on the team who are feeling exactly how you’re feeling. You won’t screw up. If you don’t try, you won’t learn. Can’t wait to hear about it!