Stepping out of our comfort zones and trying something new can be scary, especially when we're afraid of failing or looking foolish in front of others. Reflecting on my own life, there have been many times where fear and embarrassment held me back from doing things that I really wanted to do. Whether it was something as simple as milking a cow at a fall festival or accepting an invitation to go out with a group of potential new friends, there’s no telling what kind of lasting memories I could have made if I hadn’t been so afraid of what others might think of me.
The Power of Failure
Failure isn't just inevitable in life; it's beneficial. Just as the wobbles, shifts, and occasional falls we experience in balance poses on our yoga mats build our strength, mind-body connection, and balance, trying and failing at new things can offer its own benefits:
- Resilience: Each attempt, whether successful or not, builds mental and physical resilience.
- Learning: We learn more from our failures than our successes. Every mistake is an important lesson that we’d never get to learn if we never embraced the unknown.
- Courage: Facing our fears and trying again (and again… and again…) fosters courage, making us more likely to take on even more new challenges in the future.
Inspiring Others
Here at Empower Yoga Hartwell I’ve seen this happen first hand. There have been many clients hesitant to try a new class (particularly our Chair, Strength & Balance class, our Dance Party Cardio class, and our Slow Flow yoga classes). They just weren’t sure it was their speed, thought it didn’t sound like something they’d enjoy, assumed it would be too difficult, etc. However, one brave soul would step up and even though they too were uncertain of the class themself, gave it a shot. Almost every time, it resulted in them loving the class, inspiring the others who were unsure to join at first to try it out, and usually they loved it, too!
Your journey of trying new things, regardless of the outcome, can give others permission to try new things, themselves. Not only are you growing, but you’re helping others grow, too!
The Joy of Achievement
There's such an undeniable thrill in finally nailing a challenging move or realizing you can do something you once couldn’t do or thought would be impossible. This sense of empowerment extends beyond the mat. It’s the moment you put your shoes on without sitting down or feeling like you’re going to fall over, noticing you’re not out of breath as quickly when you’re climbing stairs or doing work around the house or yard, or finding calm during savasana when your mind always raced and wandered, previously.
This only happens when you show up over and over again, letting yourself wobble, fall, letting yourself be bad at something… until one day, you’re not.
Do the damn thing!
I encourage you to challenge yourself to try something new. Don’t let the fear of the unknown keep you from discovering your full strength and abilities. Whether it's joining a new class, trying a different activity, or simply stepping out of your comfort zone, every single new experience is a huge step toward growth and self-discovery.
Remember, every expert was once a beginner.
Every failure is a stepping stone to success.
Embrace the new, and let your journey inspire others to do the same.
You never know what you might achieve until you try.
Stay strong,
Stay empowered.
Kimbrena at Empower
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