#CANTCLUTCHTHIS August: Don't Make a Big Mistake...Push Yourself

This may be embarrassing for some to admit, but I never pushed myself until I turned 30.

For 30 years I just did as I was told, what society said I should do and just followed the path that was laid out before me. I didn't deviate. I didn't step off. I didn't grow.

Me on my 30th.

Luckily, a lighting strike hit me on my 30th birthday. I had just seen my now favorite band for the first time, I was complete inspired. I wrote more, I photographed more and I searched to finally build a career of my own.

All of that changing made me think. Was I really living my best life? Then I decided to leave the comfort of that life behind for something bigger.

Me.

I pushed myself out of that box and I ran away with myself. To Denver, Colorado.

I got my very first full time job. My very first apartment and I cultivated my friendships for the first time in my life.

Sitting here now two and a half years later and I cannot believe that I've grown into the person I am today. Independent, positive and motivated. And guess what? I want that for you too! I just don't want it to take until your....30!

Step out of your comfort zone today and you will not regret it.

Here's why:

Me 4 1/2 years later.

You evolve as a person. I think back on the person I use to be and I'm completely different. I've changed my name back to my maiden name and it feels like perfect timing. I'm caring more about what is going on in the world and how I can make it a bit better. 

You are open to new things. I've fallen in love with so many more foods and NPR! It is almost the only thing I listen to. That and podcasts in general. I can't remember the last time I listened to music. Which is strange. I still love it when I do listen, but I think I may have been hiding in between lyrics.

My mock memoir cover.

You get better at things. I've gotten more honest with myself and with my writing. I value writing my feelings and sharing them with you! It's let me learn and grow. I've had to do more things for myself so I've in general been kinda forced to do things better and not take short cuts. Which is fulfilling in general, when you can check something off your list!

You become stronger. Mentally and physically. Since my besties pushed me into running my very first 5K race, I've hit the treadmill hard. The past two Saturday's I've done 5k tests and am almost to my goal of 30 minutes after only two attempts {31.22 currently}! I find myself now, going into my 4th week of training, wanting to run. I want to run faster and I want to improve with each run.

Solo vacation at Amigo Motor Lodge.

You have the self satisfaction. The feeling of accomplishing something on your own is priceless. I've gone on two solo vacations now in the past 2 1/2 years and they have been rejuvenating for the mind, body and soul. It was defiantly an intimidating experience at first, but you have to WANT to do it for yourself otherwise you won't feel satisfied. 

You find out you can and will do the things you were meant to in this world. I know I'm meant to do great things. And now that I've arrived at that conclusion for myself, I can't wait to get started. I'm excited about my writing, about being successful about cultivating the love I was searching for.

Ocean Eyes snuggling up. Our nightly routine.

You will meet amazing people. Putting yourself out there is tough, especially if you are an introvert {Ocean Eyes is}. I am an extrovert and sometimes it is hard for me. So I understand the struggle. That being said, I've met so many amazing people because I've put myself into nervous situation. Going to cons alone, going to concerts alone, going to coffee shops alone and dating. Not everyone I met was amazing, but those relationships that I've retained are even more special and there are even some, though difficult at the time, I can look back on with memories of personal growth.

SOooooooOooooo 1st! Thank you for reading. I hope that it can push you to do at least one new thing. 2nd...share what you are pushing yourself to do or want to....in the comments below! Let's help each other. 3rd....Thank you for being a friend! Having a safe space to explore what is happening in my life and to share it with you means a lot! This has been a complete passion piece for me and took me the longest to write. I'm always happy to hit publish!

{I am forever Figuring Out My Place In Time And Space. Learn and grow with me by reading my other heartfelt and often over sharing articles!}