In my work with people we talk a lot about growth, and comfort zones, and what it looks and feels like to move past our comfort zones and into the learning zone, without going to far into what might be called the “panic” zone.
I would like you all to know that I flirted with my own learning/panic zones hard this week: I bought a pair of Teva’s.
(What’s that sound? It’s every single younger version of me shuddering in disbelief).
This is me being silly, and, it’s also true that at the end of May I’m going on a paddleboarding camping trip and I have no idea how to do either of those things. And, I have a big longing to incorporate more nature and adventure into my life and this trip is only four days and I’m going with my sister who is also a bit, um, apprehensive and I’m confident enough in my physical capacity to trust that even if I fumble at first I will get the hang of it. I want to be a person who challenges herself and this trip felt like the right amount of learning without panicking.
So I’m working with my anxiety, doing my best to prepare myself in advance (so much gear!!!!), and looking forward to glassy waters and meals under the stars and giggling with my sissy and yeah, having appropriate footwear to traipse through rivers and support me while I paddle 6-7 miles/day (is that a lot of miles on a paddle board)?
What about y’all? Aside from living through our current hellscape - are you inside of any learnings these days? Any growth edges you’d care to share? Any pointers on paddling? I’ll take them all.
happy (I hope! even if it’s just a pocket or two) weekending,
xxoo, dani
P.S. I saw JOHN MULANEY last night and gahhhhhhh can we talk about this, please? Anyone else seen this tour? Need to get my words together about it.
📖Read: A funny joke:
The barman says “We don’t serve time travelers in here.”
A time traveler walks into a bar.
This week’s Small Bow hit me where I like to be hitted.
👀Watch: Welp sorry y’all I did not watch anything not one thing this week and why would I repost a funny Instagram video I know y’all are inside the same damn echo chamber as I am.
🎧Listen: This episode over at “Flourishing After Addiction” with new pal Carl Erik Fisher was particularly lovely. Carl is one of the least insufferable interviewers ever:) open and curious and enthusiastic.
That’s it for this week, mis amores. Take good care of yourselves this weekend, take good care of each other, and I’ll see you Tuesday.
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That trip sounds wonderful, I love that you bought Teva's for it, and I am so completely here for saying "yes" to experiences that are juuuuust outside of one's comfort zone! Some of my best memories are from times when I deliberately said "yes" to something about which I felt both apprehension and excitement.
I am currently at my first in-person work conference since the pandemic hit, sitting in big rooms with lots of (masked) people, eating in restaurants (unmasked, gulp), having to speak in front of said masked people (two talks down, one to go), and all of it feels weird. I'm so glad that my sobriety predates the pandemic, and I feel very secure in it, because there's been more than a few triggers in all this -- some negative (public speaking, yiiiiiiiiikes), some positive (glorious wine and cocktail lists at the restaurants) -- but overall I'm feeling really strong and secure. It's a good feeling.
"Good but weird" seems to be the general mood for this stage of the pandemic, for me.
"I'm so glad that my sobriety predates the pandemic, and I feel very secure in it, because there's been more than a few triggers in all this..." - I have said these EXACT words to my friends so many times. Never not grateful, and yeah, that "secure" feeling never gets old. Is it a librarian conference!? How rad.
the thing I'm most nervous about is getting together the gear! definitely fascinating to watch my mind get all extra about it.
That trip sounds wonderful, I love that you bought Teva's for it, and I am so completely here for saying "yes" to experiences that are juuuuust outside of one's comfort zone! Some of my best memories are from times when I deliberately said "yes" to something about which I felt both apprehension and excitement.
I am currently at my first in-person work conference since the pandemic hit, sitting in big rooms with lots of (masked) people, eating in restaurants (unmasked, gulp), having to speak in front of said masked people (two talks down, one to go), and all of it feels weird. I'm so glad that my sobriety predates the pandemic, and I feel very secure in it, because there's been more than a few triggers in all this -- some negative (public speaking, yiiiiiiiiikes), some positive (glorious wine and cocktail lists at the restaurants) -- but overall I'm feeling really strong and secure. It's a good feeling.
"Good but weird" seems to be the general mood for this stage of the pandemic, for me.
"I'm so glad that my sobriety predates the pandemic, and I feel very secure in it, because there's been more than a few triggers in all this..." - I have said these EXACT words to my friends so many times. Never not grateful, and yeah, that "secure" feeling never gets old. Is it a librarian conference!? How rad.
the thing I'm most nervous about is getting together the gear! definitely fascinating to watch my mind get all extra about it.
I cannot recommend Carl’s book “The Urge” highly enough!
i'm three chapters in now 😎
I think you are going to find paddleboarding very easy Dani! It is for me… All you need is core strength and balance. You got this lady. Have fun! xo
thank you! I've been getting so many good tips it's awesome