GET THE LOOK:
Are you afraid of stepping out of your comfort zone? Do you want to take a leap, but you're are afraid? Afraid of failure, humiliation, an awkward moment or believe that you aren't good enough?
Yep, I am the same way, or at least I was up until a few years ago.
Let me tell ya that this post might turn into a lengthy one. Not sure where it's gonna go, I just plan to type until I let it all out. Hope you stay with me. It could possibly change your way of thinking. Who knows.
It all began in the sixth grade. I mentioned this once before, so I am sorry if you already read this piece of my life. Anyway, back to sixth grade. I tried out for cheerleader. Only two girls from my school made the squad. I never wanted anything so much in my entire 12 years of life. I made myself sick about it. I campaigned, made signs, did a couple of toe touches and landed a round off. All my friends said they voted for me. I just knew I was going to be an Alvin Junior High Mustang cheerleader.
Well, folks, I didn't make the cut. Embarrassingly enough, I am still a little bitter about it to this very day. I still call politics on this one. Regardless, that very moment in my childhood put a scar on my heart that took a long time to heal. I never wanted to feel like a loser or failure ever again.
That incident deterred me from really ever wanting to "try out" for anything ever again. I was heartbroken. I was embarrassed. I was PISSED that I failed and didn't win. It was a shot to the ego...yes, I had an ego at twelve years old. I don't like to lose. It's not because I think I should win every competition or feat that I participate in, it's because when I go for something, my mentality is GO BIG or GO HOME. I put every ounce of all my being into it. And when it doesn't turn out how I want it to, I may or may not throw a tantrum and think my life is over.
Isn't it ironic how one small incident from your childhood could brand your brain in such a messed up way? It's crazy to think that not making the cheer squad could mold and shape my way of thinking for so many years...years that led into my adulthood...up until a year-and-a-half ago. After that humiliation, I honestly believed that I wasn't good enough to win anything. I didn't have the courage to put myself out there. My "GO BIG OR GO HOME" state of mind was lost. For so many years, I took the back seat. I played it safe. I stayed in my comfort zone. I laid low. Looking back I am kicking myself that I let something so small run me off from so many opportunities. Perhaps it was the thought of losing again and having my
heart ego crushed all over.
Fast forward to many, many years later. I overcame my fears of rejection and finally decided to bring my "GO BIG" syndrome back home. I will say, it felt really good to sit down and actually type out my new found bravery.
Taking risks both in my professional and personal life.
Standing up for myself and shouting from the roof tops how I feel about certain situations.
Starting a blog. Props to all bloggers. It takes serious guts to post pictures of yourself and share your life for anyone and everyone to see.
Not taking it personal when I lose a follower on my blog or social media. I will never stop being me, posting about my life and what I love. If you can't be true to yourself, then who the heck are you going to be true to?
Competing in the Wallis U.S. Blogger Ambassador contest. This was GINORMOUS for me to put myself "out there" like I did.
Talking to friends about serious topics that were weighing on my heart.
Wearing a fedora and a high low dress in a blog post. Silly one, I know, but both firsts for me. #steppingoutofcomfortzone
Going places by myself, which leads me to the next part of this post.
Last week, a friend asked if I wanted to attend a show for Austin Fashion Week. He was photographing it and could get a pass for me to get in. I wanted to go, but didn't REALLY want to go by myself. I don't like flying solo. Anywhere. I need a wing woman. I hate being The Lone Ranger, but I thought, this could be an opportunity to meet new people, make new contacts, interact locally and see some amazing fashion. So, why not? You can do this, Shanna. And so I did. I went. By myself. Not knowing a single solitary sole besides my friend Jared, who was working.
I am so thankful I did. I DID NOT feel like a loser. I DID NOT feel out of place. I DID NOT feel insecure (okay, maybe for a minute). I felt like a woman stepping out and not caring what anyone thought. I wanted to go see fashion, make new contacts and do something for myself....alone.
I walked up to strangers, designers, photographers and anyone else who would talk to me. I introduced myself, struck up conversations, passed out a few cards, managed to make a few new friends and witnessed some stellar fashion. Take a look. All runway pictures were taken by my talented friend
Jared Tennant Photography.
Typically, this is something I would never do alone. But, you know what? It was liberating. It was adventurous. It was something I did by myself for myself. It was, at times, a little awkward. I am so proud of myself that I finally had the guts to JUST DO IT. I know this might not seem like much to many, venturing off to an event alone, but for me, letting go of that security blanket was a huge deal.
If you take away anything from this winded post, remind yourself that it's okay to step out of your "norm". Go after something no matter how much it may frighten you. If you don't take risks, set fears aside and JUST DO IT, you might be missing out on opportunities and chances that only come around once in your life.
In my "old" age, I have come to terms with the "I don't give a you-know-what" attitude. If there is something I want to do, something I want to share, something I want a piece of, I am going for it. I might scrape my knee a little, get bruised here and there, but maybe, just maybe during that small fall I will rise to things I never thought I could.
So, put the past in the past. Shoot for the stars. Do what makes you happy and fulfilled. Don't let the fear of failure be your roadblock. Because let's be honest, how many times did some of the most successful and historical legends fail before they found triumph?
JUST DO IT!!
**If you are linking up today, I kindly ask that you follow my blog and link
back to it in your post. Oh, and go meet some new friends!
