Discomfort = Growth

My mind tends to wander off when I'm stuck in slow moving traffic, but I realized it's actually the best time for me to reflect about my day, etc., hence, coming up with blog topics. Last week, I started orientation for my new job, mind you- it's across Los Angeles... on the other side of where I live.

Fun fact about me: my phobias include driving in traffic to unfamiliar places, riding on an airplane and you'll never catch me on a cruise because I'm deathly afraid of that too. It has to do with being trapped in some sort of enclosed, moving vehicle (I also get anxious on roller coasters.) BUT my point is, I was extremely anxious about driving to East LA and almost turned down this job because of that.

How crazy would I have to be to turn down a job because I was afraid to drive? And it's literally only 30 minutes away (if I leave at 5:45 AM, and get off shift by 4:00 PM -- lol). Anyways, I had to overcome this fear of mine by doing the following:

1. taking my meds

2. leaving super early to give myself enough time

3. deep breathing

4. positive self-talk

Okay, I know what you're thinking. This sounds incredibly ridiculous. How can someone be afraid to drive? I've struggled with depression and anxiety, depression not so much anymore, but anxiety-- yes. Still present and bothering my everyday life, but #3 and #4 are things that always help me through it. (Will post about that later, hehe.)

The reason I decided to talk about this phobia of mine is because I am self-aware that my phobia is irrational and it's truly the discomfort that I'm trying to avoid. But if I allow that to stop me from accepting this job offer, then I could possibly be missing out on something that is a potential gateway to my future career, right?

This applies to all things in life; we tend to avoid the things/events/places/people that or whom make us uncomfortable. I totally understand we're humans, we're not invincible to everything out there, and we can't help it sometimes.

But here's the thing: if we continue to avoid the things that make us uncomfortable, we're limiting ourselves from potential growth.

We don't realize that we're trapping ourselves in this little bubble that we consider "safe," but sometimes safe isn't always the best route. We NEED mistakes, criticism, and bad days to learn from. It's like a baby learning how to walk, he has to fall a few times before he figures out how to do it, right?

Look, I'll be completely honest with you, you are probably going to mess up on the first try. But honestly, who gives a F* because you're still one step ahead than you were yesterday and you're only getting better baby.

So what are you avoiding? Can it be overcome? -is it public speaking or leaving your toxic ex? Doesn't matter what it is, just do it bitch.