Feeling Uncomfortable.
Not knowing what you are doing. Now knowing your surroundings. Not having any idea what that person is talking about. Not feeling able to ask a question. Sweating. Shaking a bit. Constantly scanning the area for ANYTHING that would seem familiar. Unsure. Not confident. Doubting. Scared. Wanting to just run away to somewhere safe. Feeling like crying. Nervous.
These are all what comes to my mind when I think of being uncomfortable.
It doesn't matter where it is Can be at a new job. Can be on a date. Could be walking into a movie theatre and there are only 2 seats left and everyone is staring at you. Trying a new sport. Going to a new team or group where everyone knows each other and you are the "newbie" Could even be from giving your order to a good looking waiter or waitress.
But what does it mean when we feel like this?
I personally think there are many answers for this. I think that we are creatures of habit, and we adapt to our surroundings. Once we know where everything is, or we know what we are doing then we know there is less chance of "error" or "screwing up" then our confidence balances out and we tell ourselves we are ok.
I remember my first day at my job as a Sales Assistant at CTV in Calgary. I woke up about 4 hours before I started, to make sure that everything was "perfect" and that I wouldn't be late. I navigated myself to my work using my GPS. (That was uncomfortable- "what if I was late? What if I missed the turn?") I got to the parking lot and sat in my car for about 15 minutes, talking myself the courage into walking into the front door (That was uncomfortable- was I dressed ok? What if I go in the wrong door and set the fire alarm off?) Once I finally got myself out of the car and inside, I had to ask for my boss and then sit in the lobby waiting for him to come get me. (That was uncomfortable-I was even sitting weird..I could feel it I was sweating a bit. What if I suck at this job? What if they don't like me)
I could go on and on...but there is a pattern here. Negative Self Talk.
Let's fast forward to 3 weeks later.
I woke up about 45 minutes before I needed to be at work. Please keep in mind it was a 25 minute drive. Quick shower (thank god for dry shampoo). Coffee...out the door. Jammin to my tunes on the Deerfoot Trail. Pull into the parking lot with 2 minutes to spare. Meh. Boss doesn't really care that much if I am a few minutes late. Run inside yelling "Hey Girl!!" to the receptionist. Chat with a few co-workers on my way to my desk. Start my day.
See the difference?
I was comfortable. I knew my surroundings. I knew the people. But you have to get through that UNCOMFORTABLE stage, to get comfortable. My point is...no one wants to feel uncomfortable. No one likes sweating and feeling awkward (well maybe some people do- so those people should wear black and hang out together)
You have to push though that Uncomfortable feeling to grow. Lots of people don't want to feel that way...so they avoid it. They stay in a job that they hate-because they know what they are doing. They stay in that relationship that doesn't make them happy-because they don't want to have to go through the uncomfortable things that come with dating again and getting to know someone else. They don't try that new sport they are longing to, or take that fitness class- they don't want to "not know what they are doing and feel uncomfortable."
Well guess what..you are only cheating yourself out of an amazing life and amazing experiences.
When I travel I am always out of my comfort zone. I feel uncomfortable almost everyday. ravelling in a foreign country where no one understands what the F you are saying. Going into a new hostel where you don't know anyone is the absolute definition of uncomfortable. At first, I used to hide in my room. I was scared to use the common areas, or go into the kitchen. It was awkward. But I started forcing myself to do it, and guess what. Now it is like second nature for me. I still get awkward sometimes, but I am able to laugh at myself and just embrace it. Honestly..it's all in your head.
Anyways, I hope you can follow this rant :) This is just me putting my thoughts down, and doesn't meant that what I am saying is right. If it resonates-great. If not, then on to the next :)
Do me a favor...go on Netflix, or rent the movie "Yes Man" As much as a lot of it is kind of corny and far fetched, the idea behind it is brilliant.
Love from Aussie Land!!
XO
Not knowing what you are doing. Now knowing your surroundings. Not having any idea what that person is talking about. Not feeling able to ask a question. Sweating. Shaking a bit. Constantly scanning the area for ANYTHING that would seem familiar. Unsure. Not confident. Doubting. Scared. Wanting to just run away to somewhere safe. Feeling like crying. Nervous.
These are all what comes to my mind when I think of being uncomfortable.
It doesn't matter where it is Can be at a new job. Can be on a date. Could be walking into a movie theatre and there are only 2 seats left and everyone is staring at you. Trying a new sport. Going to a new team or group where everyone knows each other and you are the "newbie" Could even be from giving your order to a good looking waiter or waitress.
But what does it mean when we feel like this?
I personally think there are many answers for this. I think that we are creatures of habit, and we adapt to our surroundings. Once we know where everything is, or we know what we are doing then we know there is less chance of "error" or "screwing up" then our confidence balances out and we tell ourselves we are ok.
I remember my first day at my job as a Sales Assistant at CTV in Calgary. I woke up about 4 hours before I started, to make sure that everything was "perfect" and that I wouldn't be late. I navigated myself to my work using my GPS. (That was uncomfortable- "what if I was late? What if I missed the turn?") I got to the parking lot and sat in my car for about 15 minutes, talking myself the courage into walking into the front door (That was uncomfortable- was I dressed ok? What if I go in the wrong door and set the fire alarm off?) Once I finally got myself out of the car and inside, I had to ask for my boss and then sit in the lobby waiting for him to come get me. (That was uncomfortable-I was even sitting weird..I could feel it I was sweating a bit. What if I suck at this job? What if they don't like me)
I could go on and on...but there is a pattern here. Negative Self Talk.
Let's fast forward to 3 weeks later.
I woke up about 45 minutes before I needed to be at work. Please keep in mind it was a 25 minute drive. Quick shower (thank god for dry shampoo). Coffee...out the door. Jammin to my tunes on the Deerfoot Trail. Pull into the parking lot with 2 minutes to spare. Meh. Boss doesn't really care that much if I am a few minutes late. Run inside yelling "Hey Girl!!" to the receptionist. Chat with a few co-workers on my way to my desk. Start my day.
See the difference?
I was comfortable. I knew my surroundings. I knew the people. But you have to get through that UNCOMFORTABLE stage, to get comfortable. My point is...no one wants to feel uncomfortable. No one likes sweating and feeling awkward (well maybe some people do- so those people should wear black and hang out together)
You have to push though that Uncomfortable feeling to grow. Lots of people don't want to feel that way...so they avoid it. They stay in a job that they hate-because they know what they are doing. They stay in that relationship that doesn't make them happy-because they don't want to have to go through the uncomfortable things that come with dating again and getting to know someone else. They don't try that new sport they are longing to, or take that fitness class- they don't want to "not know what they are doing and feel uncomfortable."
Well guess what..you are only cheating yourself out of an amazing life and amazing experiences.
When I travel I am always out of my comfort zone. I feel uncomfortable almost everyday. ravelling in a foreign country where no one understands what the F you are saying. Going into a new hostel where you don't know anyone is the absolute definition of uncomfortable. At first, I used to hide in my room. I was scared to use the common areas, or go into the kitchen. It was awkward. But I started forcing myself to do it, and guess what. Now it is like second nature for me. I still get awkward sometimes, but I am able to laugh at myself and just embrace it. Honestly..it's all in your head.
Anyways, I hope you can follow this rant :) This is just me putting my thoughts down, and doesn't meant that what I am saying is right. If it resonates-great. If not, then on to the next :)
Do me a favor...go on Netflix, or rent the movie "Yes Man" As much as a lot of it is kind of corny and far fetched, the idea behind it is brilliant.
Love from Aussie Land!!
XO
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