The Midlife

I’m notoriously afraid of heights. Always have been. Plus, I am not a fan of super shifty, droppy roller coasters. But… I decided to flip the narrative of my so-called life and do the scary thing I never in a million ice ages would have imagined: I rode one of the wildest roller coasters in my life.

For work, I took my students to Hershey Park, which I had done several times over the years. The handful of times we’ve gone, I am very methodical about choosing the right rides for me. Anything too high makes me panic; I’m easily startled, too, so anything in a jump scare scenario is normally off-limits, too. This trip I decided to suspend disbelief and not overthink things, which as a habitual overthinker goes against everything I subscribe to. I did it. And I not only survived, I thrived, which had me thinking about my fears in a deeper perspective.

Whether it’s scary rides, difficult conversations, moving to a new town, trying a completely unrelated adventure you are afraid to fail at, DO IT. Do it now. Don’t overthink it; don’t talk yourself out of it, because you can. Whatever perceived notion of yourself or your past thinking of “Well I don’t do that sort of thing,” let it drip off of you like raindrops and wash away. Flip the script. Our minds can sometimes paralyze us from doing things we long to do but are afraid to try.

A less than two minute ride I never would have ridden, opened my eyes. But, no, I kept my eyes firmly shut throughout the exhilaration, the ultimate trust fall run by strangers. And I realized What else have I been saying I could never do? I can’t wait to find out.

Dear reader, I would love to know the thing you are holding yourself back from? I hope you find the courage soon to suspend your disbelief and take a leap.