Summer months get hot here, like really hot. We aren’t talking Death Valley but to be over 100 degrees here is pretty expected and no one local is shocked when it’s 110. Needless to say we are always looking for some cool water or shady mountain trail once summer hits. The problem? Well, for starters we live in a desert. It’s dry and there aren’t places around every corner to dip your toes in. Second, everyone is looking to do the same thing so lakes and rivers get crowded quickly.
I’m not sure if I’d say I’m and introvert, but I absolutely prefer quiet to noise and calm to a storm. I’d personally take sitting in my house at 100 degrees to sitting at the lake with 1000 people. Large groups make me uncomfortable, and cranky to be honest. I get really edgy and snappy which is no fun for anyone. Hearing 30 conversations going on at once is like a race to the finish line that I can’t seem to finish. Here is where the fear comes in, I know that this will be the outcome and so I fear going into situations and ruining the fun for everyone.
Because it’s uncomfortable for me and because I’m afraid of it, I usually try to avoid busy places. I go on weekdays if my kids are dying to head to a popular place. If I have my choice we find somewhere that is not as popular or that requires a permit to limit the amount of people. Finding new trails is very uncomfortable for me because I love to be in control and know what to expect. Finding new trails is not however scary to me. I like the idea that I will see new things and fill my soul with excitement and adventure. There is a difference between fear and being uncomfortable. I grow from discomfort and I suffer in fear.
There is a trend of underwater photography going around. I love it. It’s beautiful and fun and takes a skill set that I only wish I had. However, I don’t put my face underwater if I can handle it. I hate it. It hurts, and it’s majorly scary to me. I know logically I wont die ( especially in my above ground pool I can stand up in ) but that doesn’t change the feeling that I might. So, you wont be seeing any of that gorgeous photography from me because it’s painful and I don’t see any reason that my life would be better if I overcome that fear ( Im in my 40’s, I have plenty of other things to work on. Swimming underwater will have to be skipped over for another life time) will make me a better person.
However, as my kiddos swam around today I thought long and hard about how much I don’t like to swim like a fish as they do but I do like other things and so I decided to focus on that. I’m going to find something uncomfortable but worth getting out of my comfort zone for. I’m going to look for a new experience or adventure and see what I can learn from it. Here goes a challenge to anyone reading this……find something uncomfortable and do it this week! Let me know in the comments what it is, or even what you are afraid of…do you see a need to overcome it or are you just going to ride it out like me :) ?