This is a different sort of post. Not a recipe or a post about nutrition. It’s about going outside of my comfort zone… and about my new tattoo.

I am currently in a phase of  ‘going outside my comfort zone’… WAY OUTSIDE … and doing things that I’ve been wanting to do but hadn’t….hadn’t done them or tried them because my lack of self-confidence was getting in the way. This is something I’ve struggled with for most of my life. But I am tired of worrying more about what other people think of me and trying to please everyone than I am about doing what’s right for me. I am tired of being afraid of failing. I don’t want to let my fear or self-esteem hold me back anymore. Life is too short for that! (I guess my advancing age and/or mid-life crisis is making me realize that!)

So, I’m trying and doing new things…including getting this tattoo which I’ve been wanting to do for YEARS (I also have a hard time making decisions very quickly so that also got in the way!)

Why Lightning?

I chose this design of a double lightning bolt for a few reasons. First and foremost, because I like it 🙂

Secondly, it symbolizes to me the power that I possess but have had trouble bringing forth. Like many people, I have been through some very difficult times in my life and acheived some very challenging goals things. But I forget about the strength and determination that I have especially in the face of new challenges. Sometimes I need to be reminded of that strength, especially when I’m feeling discouraged or experiencing self doubt.

This tattoo reminds me of that…of the things I’ve overcome and the things I’ve yet to conquer (that’s the double part) and that I am capable. It’s on the inside of my right wrist and very visible to me, although it may not be easily noticed by others. In fact, I did a bit of a test today as my first day at work since I got the tattoo, to see if anyone would notice. Not one person mentioned anything. But that’s really ok… because the tattoo is FOR ME. 

Lighting symbolizes…

The place where lightning strikes signifies connection with unfathomable Power.  Isn’t that cool? That idea is very motivating to me.  According to my Google search, lightning symbolizes inspiration, creativity, ideas…motivation and clarity…honesty, truth and morality. All good things to have or strive for in life. I like that. Plain and simple.

Trying a Different Approach

So far, in the last 6 months I’ve run a half marathon (I used to think those people were super CRAZY!), sought the advice of a business coach and started a new business (with a WHOLE NEW SET of CHALLENGES!!). I’ve put myself ‘out there’ in situations that make me uncomfortable. Sometimes it goes well, and sometimes it doesn’t. When it doesn’t go well, I try to figure out how to do it better the next time. Like the Facebook Live that I did last night. I was slightly TERRIFIED to do it, wondering if anyone would show up, hoping I wouldn’t stumble over my words or that someone would ask a question that I couldn’t answer.

I ran into technical issues where the recording stopped a few times and I had to start it up again. In the past, that sort of problem might have flustered me to the point that I would have quit. Not last night. I kept trying again… and again… I’ll sort out that tech issue so that next time, hopefully, it will go a little smoother. That’s my approach now. 

To be honest, I’ll probably always care what other people think of me, to some extent. But my goal is to do what I need to do in spite of that. Will it be difficult? Probably. But I can do difficult things. So can you.

Now I can add the tattoo to that list of things that I’ve done, outside my comfort zone.

What’s next?…