There are times I will crawl out
from my bed. There are days I will turn my phone off and have a conversation
face to face. There are … but not today.
I have been using this “not today”
excuse almost for the whole of my life to be slacking off in my nest – and this
excuse goes stronger thanks to BTS’ newest track title “Not Today” – and avoiding the society. If I have to meet an
appointment outside, with a group of completely strangers, I will do it quickly
so that I can come back home soon. This goes well as if I am in a situation to
work with some acquaintances as a group, and I always find myself being
uncomfortable and face the group discussion awkwardly.
Well, we all have friends whom we are comfortable with, don’t we? So do
I. I have certain circles during my study session in university, and these
circles have their own roles. If I may categorize them, those will be : “study mates”, “classmates”, and “playmates” – oops, let’s not
forgetting the “spazzing mates”.
At some points it is very uncomfortable for me to be in group with my “play mates” to sign in a group project,
and this scheme goes as well with the other two circles. I work the best with
my “study mates”, hang out lively
with “play mates”.
Vice versa.
I am actually quite aware of the consequence. I admit it by myself that I
am lacking in self-preparedness when it comes to unexpected situation. I see
myself become easily tempered, impatience, and nervous when I face such situation.
In a more cruel words, I am lacking in
self-growth as a human being.
I try to sort things out and it appears that I have been hiding for too
long in my pleasant eggshell. To remember of it, I forget : when did the last time I step out from my comfort
zone?
No answer.
Thus, as for today I will write down several tips that I’ve tried – and have helped me – to step out from my
comfort zone. These tips may look simple as it is, but these are worth to try.
Turn off your phone and get real-offline conversation
Technology brings thousand goodness to our life, but let’s not forgetting
there is always bad and good side of everything. Yin and yang. Gandhi and Hitler. While it makes us easier to
connect with people from afar, on the other side it also makes us get lazier to
build real connection. I guess the problem here is because we think can control
almost everything – yes, almost
everything – just by the tip of our fingers.
Turn off your phone for 2 or 3 hours – it could be during your meet up agenda with a friend you’ve never met
for certain years – and have a deep talk. You’ll get surprised by how
things are actually outside your tiny smartphone.
Experience new things, visit new places : just try something new
During the freshman year I mostly spent my time at classroom. Where was I
after school? Home, of course.
However, boredom struck unexpectedly, so I decided to have some private study
times between two classes. I went to campus’ library and spent one to two hours
there – by myself – enjoyed the whole
new atmosphere I have never sensed before. It went smooth beyond my
expectation. It wasn’t bad at all, to sit on wood chair and read back my notes
I jot down at class, or stroll from one shelf to another and get a glance over
Shakespear’s script.
Now I know why traveler are always excited to plan their next travelling
destination. Different places bring
different stories. And those always seem like a brand new experiences. Go
start yours. It doesn’t have to be a luxurious trip to Japan or Greece LOL! It
can be a thrifty evening walk around your neighborhood instead. Who knows what
you’ll find there.
Let go of yourself
I am that type of person who barely initiate a conversation at first
meeting. I am suck at it. I remember
this clearly as if it happened yesterday. It was during my freshman year – at orientation day – where I met my
first friend. Indah was on the same boat as me. 15 minutes we spent by shutting
our mouth tight while we were sitting next to each other felt like forever to
me.
That was very uncomfortable, and
awkward as hell.
I don’t know what made me suddenly asked her
one or two trivia questions that got us occupied during the boring speech
acceptance. Now I think I can reward myself a big thank you for letting go of
myself at that time. I am finally able to be friend with a great designer and
illustrator like Indah. If I didn’t talk to her before, perhaps I wouldn’t discover
such a talented girl like her in our department! (Check out her amazing
drawings here!)
Don’t get discouraged by negative people
You thought your people are good. Not at all. No matter how much you want
to stick in this belief, sadly we know it’s wrong.
Not every person is ready facing “changes”. So does your friend. There
will be a guy who can not accept the way you are trying to be. He will show his
complain by giving you negative thinking, saying that you should quit and get
back to your usual self.
Don’t get discouraged by tongue-in-cheek comments. Instead you can
attempt to understand this happens because he is being envious of your
progress. Tell him the true reason and ask for his understanding too. If he is
absolutely insisted on, quit the toxic relationship ASAP.
Face your fear
We know first move is the most bothersome part of starting anew. We
become nervous and scared at the same time. We attempt to evaluate each step we
are going to take. If I did this, would I
be okay? Would I be fine?
We call it “fear”. It is normal
to sense fear. However we need to know that it will give us no good if we keep
developing negative thought on our mind for a long period. Deal with it.
Convince yourself you can pass the consequence well.
When I look out on Internet for similar topic, I am glad there have been
lots people writing about this. It means society are already concerned about
this issue as well as I am. I will be contented if you find this post is
useful. You are very welcomed to share the words and let’s not break the chain.
The more we are encouraged to do good thing, the easier it will be for us to
step on it, isn’t it? Good luck trying on your own!
