Trying something new can be terrifying. It’s like your mind is being torn in two directions – one part says, “give it a try” and the other says “get the hell out of there”. Sometimes when we think of trying something new, our minds are flooded with thoughts that hold us back. We imagine every little thing that could possibly go wrong.
When it comes to doing something new, there is that critical moment when we are about to do it, but we just can’t take the leap. Here is something you can do to overcome that barrier.
First, name the fear. You’ll notice that when try something new, thoughts will pop into head sayings things “Don’t do this, it will be so embarrassing”. When this happens say to yourself “Oh my brain is trying to make me scared” Notice the fearful thoughts come up.
Next, blame your brain. When you notice the thoughts come up say to yourself “Okay my brain telling to be scared, but really I don’t need to be, everything is going to be okay”.
Once you have done that, focus your attention on what you are about to do, rather than the stressful thoughts flying flying your head. Feel the fear and do it anyway.
Doing these steps will train your brain not to feel so stressed the next time you try something new. It will take time to practice this – the stress isn’t going to disappear immediately.
Okay that’s some practical steps to feel less scared and act confidently, but I feel like I should mention this: true confidence is being comfortable with failures. Trying something new makes us scared because we are so worried that things will go wrong, that we will fail. And the truth is we will fail sometimes. You can only act with real confidence when you accept this fact and be comfortable with it. We act with confidence when we can fail and keep trying.
Remember, you are more than your failures.
Change your perspective and uncover a way forward for you!
Here are some things that can help you with that.
YouTube
Great
reads
Emotions! Making Sense of Your Feelings by Mary Lamia, PhD
This will help you understand your emotions and who you are, how you appear to others, and what you can be. While your emotional life may feel out of control, your emotions are valuable. It's time to figure just what your emotions are telling you!
Just As You Are by Michelle Skeen and Kelly Skeen
A practical guide to silencing your nit-picky inner critic, cultivating self-compassion, and discovering who you want to be.
Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
This is obviously a classic series. If you haven't read it, now is the time. He might not be isolated, but Harry Potter has to deal with a lot of uncertainty. If you not that into reading, this is the easy read you need.
Great
Films
Eigth Grade
Kayla Day, is in the eighth grade. She is introverted but also posts videos about self-confidence online. Soon, she realises she is not the person she is pretending to be and has to accept that.
Coco
Miguel loves singing but his family has banned music. He stumbles into the Land of the Dead, where he learns about his great-great-grandfather who shows him his true self.
Zootopia
When Judy Hopps, a rookie officer in the Zootopia Police Department, sniffs out a sinister plot, she enlists the help of a con artist to solve the case in order to prove her abilities to Chief Bogo.
Spotify
This playlist will make you feel like you can conquer the world.
Places to find more resources
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