Finding My Wings


At the rate I'm going, you'd be forgiven for thinking I've always been this adventurous. In the first 24 days of 2016 I will be on 7 flights between 4 countries, most of them alone. As you may have seen from my summary of the year, I am fortune to be in a position where I get to travel rather a lot. But once upon a time I sobbed at the prospect of being away from home and refused to go on a camp that was only a few miles away. Drastic, huh?

I like to think of it finding my wings: gaining confidence and seizing opportunities as they come. But it wasn't as simple as suddenly feeling able to do it, it was a slow progression, something I describe as being akin to climbing stairs. Each step is a little higher, a little bit further from when you started. Maybe it was quite tough to climb a few of them, maybe you wondered what you were doing as you put one foot in front of the other. You climb and climb, not realising how high you're progressing, until suddenly you can't believe how different you were to where you started. It's a phenomenal change, but it doesn't happen overnight. 

We don't gain courage by not doing things. Even if we think we'll be braver in the future, this only becomes true by growing from the challenges we set ourself. When we concede to playing it safe, it is instant gratification that forgoes the numerous rewards that can only come doing something scary.

People who have known me for a long time can scarcely believe where I am now, but I have to thank each and every individual who nudged me along my way. 


My life truly began at the end of my comfort zone


10 comments:

  1. Absolutely agree with your post, Liza! Lovely read! x

    Isabel Marcelo

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    1. Thank you Isabel, and thank you for joining in with last night's chat!

      Liza xx

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  2. I loved reading this post, almost like poetry! I really hope you achieve and find all the confidence you want this year but just remember it's a step by step process. Travelling is honestly such an amazing thing, I did a lot in 2015 and everyone says I've matured as a person. It really puts everything into perspective! X

    Sally ~ DiagonSally

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    1. Thank you for your comment Sally, I'm so thrilled you've had that experience :)

      Liza xxx

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  3. Beautiful post! I used to be the same, in that I never wanted to leave home. It wasn't until this time last year, in which I went on an exchange to France, that I become so confident in myself. I am so eager to go traveling again after I graduate this year, and if I ever find myself in moments of doubt, I always remember how alive I felt exploring a new country. Life at the other side of your comfort zone truly is the best!

    xx Carina
    http://windsweptwishesx.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you Carina! I'm so glad that you have grown in confidence and enjoyed all your travels.

      Liza xx

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  4. This was such a lovely read. I am definitely guilty of playing it safe in my comfort zone too much, but I'm hoping I can change that in 2016. A year of saying yes to new experiences!
    Laura x FloraLooTwo

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    1. Thank you Laura, good luck with saying yes!

      Liza xx

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  5. Hi, I've just found your blog and I absolutely adore it. I can definitely relate to this post - before I went to university in September I was having regular panic attacks over the idea of moving away from home, but almost as soon as I arrived and just started doing it, everything was okay. I still get anxious, but I have much more faith in myself - it's just about saying yes to things.
    Best of luck for your future travels and adventures - I look forward to reading all about them!
    L x

    http://lucyeyf.co.uk

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    1. Thank you Lucy! I'm glad you can relate to it, and that you're working through your anxiety. I get panic attacks so I know how scary and debilitating they can be, congratulations on getting through and growing your self belief.

      Liza xxx

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Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts with me. I read and reply to each and every one.