HAPPY FRIDAY!! This week felt pretty long for me – anyone else? Regardless, I’m thrilled that the freakin’ weekend is here 
And that it’s JAMIE’S BIRTHDAY!!
Okay, it’s no secret that routines and structure rule my world. I’m a control freak enthusiast, and I always like to know what I’m doing.
Because of that, I don’t like to learn in front of other people.
“I’ll try it later” means, “I’ll practice like mad while I’m alone, and then I’ll try with the group later.”
This can be a difficult existence when you’re married to a man who doesn’t suck at anything. ANYTHING! Say we both try something new together. Within the first five minutes, he looks like a professional, and I’m in the background falling, missing, tripping, or wheezing.
I digress.
A few days ago, Emily asked Cory if he wanted to play tennis sometime this week.
I wasn’t going to go for two reasons. The first thing, I wasn’t invited. The important second thing, (because I don’t need an invite to hangout with my husband and BFF) I’d never played tennis before.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t want to try something for the first time in front of people AND at a public park where strangers could witness my futile attempts.
I kept thinking: I’ll embarrass myself. I don’t know how to play. What if I look stupid?
But then two powerful words came to mind.
Fuck it.
(Yes, that’s a racquetball racket – Cory had the tennis racket.)
The tennis gods took it easy on me. Cory and I arrived about 40 minutes before Emily, and no one was on the courts. I’m not a tennis prodigy like I had hoped, I flailed about the court, and I chased after more missed balls than I’d like to admit – but you know what? It was fun!
I stepped outside of my comfort zone, had a good time, and got a good little workout. Sounds good to me
Let’s chat – When’s the las time you stepped outside of your comfort zone? If you can’t think of something, that’s a sign that it’s been waaay too long! Go do something you’re not good at!
I don’t like trying new things in front of people either. I once went golfing with my husband and our friends, and I almost started crying, I was so frustrated. That is one sport that requires practice before you attempt 9 holes!
My husband and I love to play tennis! The only problem is that he’s like Cory…freaking good at everything. So he comes in with his 99 mph serves and his ability to hit the ball where he wants it to go (where as I just hit it and pray it goes in the general direction I would like it to) and we “play”. Our rules: He’s not allowed to serve hard and my “in” is the doubles lines and his “in” is the singles. He still wins. And he also gets me running all over the court while singing “hope piggy can run”. He is like, soooo sweet.
You did great. Love you.
Good for you girl!! I recently tried out a “Hip Hop Groove” fitness class at the new gym we’re going to. I love dancing (and I’m not bad at it), but in this 50 minutes you build upon one move so by the end you have this crazy long dance to remember/run through. I felt like a fool most of the time but I had a lot of fun and plan to go again next week! It’s like that saying about the scariest/hardest things being the things that are most worth doing.
You and your husband are so cute. Keep doing things outside of your comfort zone because thats how you find your new interests. I stepped outside of my comfort zone by going to a zumba class. I loved it soo much and now try to incorporate it into my weekly schedule.
I try to step out of my comfort zone in some small way every day although, it’s tough! I’m a fellow “control enthusiast” (using that phrase from now on! haha!) and hate to fail at things, especially in front of people. Glad you had fun playing tennis – I’m terrible at it but it always makes for some good laughs.
My husband and I just started playing pretty regularly a month ago, on those exact courts!! So far we have lost three balls down the drain in that crazy intersection. I was terrible at first and got really frustrated that he kept beating me. I threw a tantrum one day about it, but then I realized it wasn’t worth getting mad about. I got over and I am getting better. Hope to see you on the courts some time!
I am the same way, if I don’t know how to do something, I’ll figure it out on my own first and then do it in front of others. My husband wants to tackle a bike trail tomorrow, I’m terrified because it’s been a long time since I’ve gone biking, but I’m actually really excited.
Hahaha control enthusiast! I LOVE it!! I’m totally stealing that term!! And I am the same way about doing something new in front of people!! I hate looking like a moron!! Good for you o doing it anyway!! That’s awesome!! I, too, am with a man who is a champion of everything he tries (except maybe picking up after himself!!)… So frustrating. I’m thinking of challenging him to a floor mopping or eyeliner competition!
I was actually thinking about trying to play tennis the other day! I’ve played a couple times when I was younger, but I don’t think most people would have even counted it as playing. I just need to find a friend to try it with me!
Way to go! I stepped out of my comfort zone when I took up weight lifting. It’s pretty much all buff guys in the weight room at my gym, so at first I was a bit self-consious to say the least. However, after my husband showing me the ropes and with some practice; I’m now really confident in the weight room.
I’m the exact same way girl. I hate trying new things infront of people. So happy for you that you did step outta your comfort zone & that you had an awesome time
Have a wonderful weekend!
oh man i am terrible at tennis. well i am assuming so because the last time i attempted to play was in my 9th grade PE class. i stepped out of my comfort zone by signing up for an elective class to work at a community care clinic. i am in grad school so electives are not required. it starts wednesday and i am very nervous because i have no effing clue what i am doing. should be fun.
I’m a control freak, and I love to just go to the gym and zone out. I work out alone and roll through the same old, same old weight routine. My goal for fall is to switch it up a bit with weights and try out a group class. I’m thinking maybe an intro Crossfit class and see how I like it.
My husband is good at everything too! It is frustrating especially when I, like you, do not like learning new things in front of others. I am so worried I won’t be good and look dumb. I am going to say having a baby was stepping out my comfort zone.