You know that feeling of dread you can sometimes get right before an event
you agreed to do?
A gig, a meeting, a class, a conference.
When you signed your future self up to do it, it seemed like a fun thing to do in the moment, but when the moment comes — UGH. Why did I agree to this?
From my own UGH experiences (and I’ve had a lot of them being an ambivert) I would put these into two types of categories and maybe one caveat:
1. You’ve signed up for something that doesn’t align with who you are and what you’re about.
Another reason it’s vital to get to know yourself and create principles for how you want to live. These are the types of things we need to learn to say no to. We’ve only have so much time and energy to give in this life, why waste it on an event that isn’t compatible with you at all? Besides what are we contributing towards something we don’t want to be at? Mostly just bummers and negative moods for the people who actually want to be there.*
*The caveat is, of course, unless you are being there to support a friend or family member. Showing up to something that a loved one cares about is one of the greatest things you can do to show them your appreciation of them.
2. You’ve signed up for something you actually want to do, but fear is trying to get you to back away and play it safe (aka play it same).
The key component here is this is actually what you want. You know you’ll enjoy it and be happy you went, but for whatever reason, a wall of excuses hit you right before you go.
I label this fear, but it doesn’t really feel like fear in the moment does it? It just feels like we’re talking ourselves out of it, and since we’re talking ourselves out of it maybe we shouldn’t go.
I’m tired, maybe I’ll pass… I suddenly don’t feel great… ah man, I’m late, I guess I won’t go… on and on our minds go.
When you fall into this category the correct response is to just go.
Do it. Push past the hesitation. Resign to going, despite what your mind and body is telling you. Imagine yourself how you feel afterwards, after you’ve already been. Picture the smile on your face.
Don’t let fear stop you from living.
STAY BOLD, Keep Pursuing,
— Josh W.
