New Year, New Me?
New year, new me? 2025 is calling…and I think I should pick up…My journey to overcome fear, step out of my comfort zone, and build meaningful connections. This year, I’m embracing personal growth, making new friends, and living fully.
New Year, Its Time For Change.
For the new year, I want to be different. I want to get out more, meet people, make friends, and engage in new experiences. For so long, I’ve repeated the same patterns, hoping for a different outcome. I’ve always been sheltered, keeping to myself because I felt separated from everyone. The pastors at church said it was because I was “chosen.” My mom said it was because “God had a calling on my life.” Looking back, I’m not sure if it was any of those things or all of them. However, I do believe we are all called in our own ways. We’re here at this time, for reasons we assign to our existence.
Understanding Life’s Bigger Picture
Life, I think, is much larger than any single person’s calling. The universe is vast, and it seems unlikely that it’s all about one individual’s purpose. We all contribute to the awakening of ourselves and others, and to the collective whole.
Reflecting on My Social Experiences
Reflecting on my story, I’ve realized I never felt comfortable being social with people my age. Maybe it was fear—fear of doing the wrong things. There was always pressure to be the “good kid,” especially since my older sister was seen as the rebellious one who ran away. My mother was ill, and I felt the responsibility to be perfect, to avoid adding to her stress. As a result, I was quiet, only speaking when spoken to, never speaking out of turn, and avoiding strangers.
The Impact of Avoiding Connections
This led to a lack of long-term friendships. I had classmates but never deep connections, and at the time, I didn’t desire them. Friends didn’t seem important. Now, through therapy, I see things differently.
Am I Hiding From the World?
The question I wrestle with is: am I hiding from the world? I want to say no, but part of me feels I’ve been afraid of making mistakes. I’ve carefully observed others’ mistakes to avoid making my own, yet I’ve still made them. So, what’s the harm in putting myself out there and making friends? The answer seems to be fear—fear of discomfort. But, as someone told me, discomfort is the only way to break free from my comfort zone. The new year sounds like the perfect time to get out of my comfort zone.
Embracing Discomfort for Growth
This year, I choose to embrace discomfort, step out of the shadows, and create the connections I’ve long avoided. It’s time to stop hiding and start living fully.
By: Bria The Editor
Jan. 8th, 2025
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