How to Overcome Your Fear of Trying New Things
When I was a teenager, I was shy, fearful, and self-conscious like many kids at that age are. I hated drawing attention to myself. I just wanted to blend in. I hated trying anything new.
Trying something new meant I would be unsure of myself (even more unsure of myself than I already was). It meant that I might fail. I might look stupid. I might embarrass myself. I might need to ask a question. I most definitely would feel vulnerable. This was too high a risk for my young teenage self.
So I gave myself the freedom to avoid those situations at all costs. This seemed like a wise decision. I remember feeling a great liberation in the fact that I could choose to avoid being uncomfortable. This would be a vast improvement in my life. This would drastically reduce the number of butterflies in my stomach that I would have to endure.
The Freedom of Saying No
I said no to roller coasters. I said no to water tubing and water skiing. I said no to snow skiing. I said no to dancing. I said no to anything that would induce anxiety in my stomach and panic in my mind.
At first, it felt great. It thrilled me to reduce my discomfort of going through life. I felt safe and secure in not unnecessarily adding anxiety or embarrassment to myself.
