Out of my comfort zone

Stagnation is the true killer

I believe that with all my heart. You are going on with your days, day in and day out, settling into a comfortable routine. Participating in the same activities with the same people as if you are all replaying the same role in a play that is going on for years. And before you know it, you are deep in a comfort zone and the mere thought of existing outside it sends shivers down your spine. Not all people are susiptible to this as some by nature are spontanious. But us the unlucky few have to work hard to avoid this trap.

The I before and after

I have always been a soliditary creature. Leave me alone and I will be content to just go about my life without involving others in my life. Read my books, watch my movies/series and go on my walks. But lately I have decided that I should try something different; what if I started working on my health? both physical and mental? What is the worst that could happen if I started doing things that make me uncomfortable ¯_(ツ)_/¯

The diff

I picked up martial arts and it has been one of the best desicions in my life. I have tried weight lifting before and going to the gym (solo) but this is my first trying anything with a group. The group is amazing and friendly and so are the senseis (I find it weird to have special titles for fellow adults but they are teaching us). Specially N and H with their openness and assuming that everyone will natually like them. T and G with their agility and endurance. Even the other teens each trying their best. N rallied the group to do an imprompto birthday party for a sensie and invited me for a celebration after passing our belt evaluation. I - being so out of practice - responded like a fucking teenager with "why not?". I need to be around people more.

I knocked on the door of my next door neighbour and asked for her number (I got it) and for a coffee date (she said yes but nothing came of it. I am still hopeful). I find it hard to talk to her about anything due to lack of common subjects. I don't even know what she does for a living. Does she even work?

Today I did a creepy move; while driving back I noticed my other neighbour walking home. So I parked the car and quickly went out and pretended to run into her. I apologized for the noise - which she insisted is fine - and got her name - R. She works on social media for a plastic surgeon, a dancer (retried? Jazz?) and turned out of be a talkative well sharing lovely lady. Oh, she told me about the green belt path near my house!! I went there today and it was filled with bugs and I loved it.

I started going to the horror movies meetup; C and A are always there. C is so friendly and emotionally opservant making sure every one is cared for and included. There is even one lady who does zombie barbie dolls that can go on and on about just anything. It is awkward to try to chat with random people but the rotational nature of it makes it a low stakes envirnment to practice shooting myself in the foot so I stop doing it when it counts.

I also went to my first silent book club and it was a blast. I realized that I have no idea how to talk about the things I love.

What is next

Keep this up and I need to try things that I hate more. I am still loving this too much.