So, if you have been following me for a while, you will know that I love camping. Every time that I say this I chuckle a little bit and if you knew me (or if you know me) in person you would understand! I have been described as "prissy" which is a term I don't much care for but, I suppose I have earned it. I don't like germs, dirt, bugs, being too hot or too cold, and I don't like showering in a public shower. However, for weekends at a time I seem to be able to push all that aside and truly enjoy myself. The past few years I have camped with my friends. We camp twice a year, once in the summer and once in the fall. Usually in the summer they camp for ten days and due to teaching summer school I can only join them on the weekends. This year, as luck would have it, I was able to join them for the entire time.
I learned a lot about myself during this week of camping. I learned that camping for ten days is much more fun (and dirty) than camping for a weekend. I learned that I can make a tent feel like a home, I learned that I actually can play bags and throw a football, and I learned that in life there is nothing like taking time to slow down and laugh. It has been a long time since I have had so many days of laughing so hard my sides hurt.
My very wise director (aka my boss) has taught me many things this year but something stands out is what she taught me about "leaning into the discomfort". If there is something that you would not do because you are afraid you need to lean into the discomfort and give it a try. (This is not speaking of anything dangerous or illegal!) I have put this into practice this year and have learned that sometimes when I lean into my discomfort I fail but I have also learned that sometimes when I lean into my discomfort I succeed. Had she not pushed me to try things this year I would have missed a lot of opportunities for growth. While camping I leaned into some areas of discomfort and I feel that they were opportunities for growth.
If you can't picture yourself doing something, such as tent camping for a week, I encourage you to lean into your discomfort. You may just learn something amazing about yourself. As adults we tend to stay in the areas of life that we have found comfortable and that is fine. However, sometimes it is good to get out there and see what else life has to offer. Go ahead and lean in...
I learned a lot about myself during this week of camping. I learned that camping for ten days is much more fun (and dirty) than camping for a weekend. I learned that I can make a tent feel like a home, I learned that I actually can play bags and throw a football, and I learned that in life there is nothing like taking time to slow down and laugh. It has been a long time since I have had so many days of laughing so hard my sides hurt.
My very wise director (aka my boss) has taught me many things this year but something stands out is what she taught me about "leaning into the discomfort". If there is something that you would not do because you are afraid you need to lean into the discomfort and give it a try. (This is not speaking of anything dangerous or illegal!) I have put this into practice this year and have learned that sometimes when I lean into my discomfort I fail but I have also learned that sometimes when I lean into my discomfort I succeed. Had she not pushed me to try things this year I would have missed a lot of opportunities for growth. While camping I leaned into some areas of discomfort and I feel that they were opportunities for growth.
If you can't picture yourself doing something, such as tent camping for a week, I encourage you to lean into your discomfort. You may just learn something amazing about yourself. As adults we tend to stay in the areas of life that we have found comfortable and that is fine. However, sometimes it is good to get out there and see what else life has to offer. Go ahead and lean in...