When was the last time you did something for the first time?
Perhaps you're in a coffee shop. Stand up and go grab a napkin from the dispenser, and say thanks to the employees behind the counter for their service.
If you're at home go tell your family that you love them and plan something fun to do this weekend. If you don't always walk the dog, grab the leash and do it! And if you're still in your pajamas grab something you wouldn't normally wear, even if it's just mismatching socks. These little things do count for getting you out of your comfort zone.
I read a post about regrets on the renowned website Reddit lately and it had some interesting pieces of advice that I found valuable to contribute to this article:
"Take chances. About ANYTHING. Anything at all. That cute girl you see in the elevator and you want to say hello to but you're afraid. That job opportunity that might put you out of your comfort zone but could help your career. Moving out even if you reach the end of the month almost moneyless. In the end. Nothing THAT big really matters. What matters is that you didn't take the chance and are now an old person going around the futile "What if" circle."
As a young person writing this article, it's so intriguing to hear insight of wiser folks, and just listen to their advice, stories, experiences, successes, and even mistakes that they have made in their lives. I found this post on the thread particularly interesting in responding to the regret of not doing things.
Some important phrases I heard someone say to me a few years ago were:
"I'd rather have a life of 'oh wells' than 'what if's'." and "I'd rather regret something I did than regret not doing something."
I think a lot of us feel like we acknowledge this in our lives, but sometimes we need a reminder.
Putting Yourself Out There Is Scary, But It's Worth It
There are so many amazing people in this world, and since we are all human we all crave human connection, no matter how introverted or extroverted we may be. If you're in an elevator, especially in an environment like your workplace or a residency, why not talk to someone? If you think somebody looks nice, tell them. Spark conversation. Make human connection. People complain all the time about how there is no real human connection anymore because of technology and other aspects of modern life, but are you contributing to the problem by looking down all the time?
I'm definitely far from perfect when it comes to this advice, but I'd say "practice makes perfect" with everything in life. Complimenting someone or striking conversation can be scary, and I realize that, but it is so worth it. Most of the time people will have a positive response back, and if they don't why should that bother you? If someone thinks you're weird for giving them the time of day, they don't matter anyway.
A quote from that valuable Reddit article reads,
"I realized in the past year or so that it doesn't matter whether people think I'm cool or not."
Put yourself out there. Why spend your life limiting your existence, your love, your passions, and the fire you spread to others? Allow others to ignite along with you.
You never know; being kind to someone and acknowledging their existence may even lead to a new best friend, a local acquaintance, a future job connection, a neighborly pal, or someone you may cross paths with again. And perhaps what you say to them will affect them more than you may have even intended.
Simply being nice to someone could make their day, week, month, year, or life. There is no price for being kind, so why not brighten someone's day?
Important Reminders
1. Think of a time when a stranger made a lasting impact on you, whether it was with a compliment, interaction, or act of kindness.
2. If you don't think you're courageous enough yet, think of a person in your life that you will see today, tomorrow, or very soon. Challenge yourself to say something nice to them. Invite them out. Push both of you out of your comfort zone. Be absolutely genuine.
3. We are all human and nobody is better than anyone else. Listen to other people's stories and feel for them.
4. Spread this message. Kindness is contagious, and in a world of sadness, anger, and troubles we could all use a smile as we walk down the street.
