If it scares you, do it!

    Welcome back again! We have finally left behind (what feels like) the longest January ever! So with a new month, comes a new set of goals! I picked up the Little Penny Thoughts "One day at a time diary" and I find it so helpful to set my goals for the following week and month, as well as Annette's infamous self-help quotes on every page! (If you are someone who wants to organise your thoughts and day/week I highly recommend this organiser)

    Today's blog will centre on the importance of pushing individual boundaries and always trying something new! When was the last time you tried something new, a new hobby, activity? 

During Summer 2020, my boyfriend and I visited Dunfanaghy in County Donegal, one of the most infamous places in Donegal for surfing. I had never surfed or done much water sports in fact, so when we booked a surfing lesson with Narosa Surf School, I was absolutely terrified! There is a surfing hot spot named Marble Hill, which has sensational views of Sheephaven Bay located on the Wild Atlantic Way! 

Marble Hill, Dunfanaghy

So after a few coffees at the beach shack- which were amazing!  (I think I used this as an act of sober dutch courage), I agreed to book it and went in to select my wetsuit. 

If you have ever tried to fit into a wetsuit, you will know that, unless you are Kate Moss, you will never look good, or flattering in skin-tight neoprene. So after the struggle of disembowelling most of my vital organs into a wetsuit for the first time, I was ready! 

We picked up our surfboards, which felt like twice my size and we did some on-beach techniques. After which, I felt like somewhat of an expert, I could expertly surf on sand (not the point Anita though). So now, it was time to hit the waves, and get some "sic swell"- I picked up some surf lingo on the way! 😆

Needless to say, my newfound expertise soon disappeared once I got into the water, wave after wave came and I would chicken out, and let everyone else catch their wave until the instructor (with whom I had been avoiding eye contact the entire time) came over to me and said "Right lady, your turn" genuinely if I could have run away, I would of, I will never forget the fear in my stomach, but he pushed (well, hoisted) me onto the board, and shouted "This wave is yours... GOOOO!" So I paddled like wild and tried desperately to remember what we had been taught, I managed up on my knees, and as the crashing wave approached the underbelly of the board I lifted myself up- unfortunately this is where the story ends, I completely fell over, wiped out and the surfboard went flying in the opposite direction.

I emerged from the water, and my boyfriend came over to me, as he knew how nervous I was to check if I was okay, expecting me to want to get out, I catapulted from the water shouting "AGAIN, AGAIN!" Fast forward to the present day, I am probably still as relatively rubbish as I was, but I bought my own board and I fought against my fear not only feeling accomplished but I developed a love and inevitably a hobby for it. 

Will I ever be a surfing goddess, no. 

Will I ever stand up on the board..probably not. 

Will I enjoy every wipeout..absolutely! 

My point is- if something scares you, then it's a sign you need to do it! Make it one of your goals in February to push yourself out of your comfort zone, and I promise you, you will not regret it! 

Love 

Anita x

 

Atlantic Drive