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Friday, August 12, 2011

Branching Out With a Little Bird

It’s not like me to try new things.  It really isn’t.  I’m the type of girl that likes things to stay the same.  When going out to breakfast at a restaurant I still order the same thing I did as a child, French toast (can you blame me?  French toast is too yummy to give up).  I know what French toast will taste like (hard to screw it up) and I know what to expect.  If I ordered something different I wouldn’t have that same security as I do with my French toast. 

I don’t adapt to change very well either, even though I should and I’m trying to raise my children to be flexible individuals.  I distinctly remember when I was a child, the year my parents decided to move the Christmas tree from the place it stood for YEARS, just around the corner and I was completely disappointed.  It’s almost ridiculous when I think back on it.  But that was me, I liked things to stay the same, didn’t want the traditions to change.   

It’s something that I’m working on.  This blog was the first step.  I’m finding my way here, finding my voice, and finding out that I’m not crazy!  YAHOOO!!! 
                                                                                                        
By the same token I’m finding that I have so much to learn and I’m excited about it.  In order to learn more, I need to be open to trying new things.  UH-OH! 

So I finally took the plunge and did something that was completely out of my comfort zone.  Something that was extremely intimidating and scary for me. 

I gave into the suggestions, gave into the “go ahead and do it” even though I was scared that I would somehow revert to that high school girl who wasn’t cool enough to hang out with the “popular” crowd.

What is it that had me shaking in my boots?  Joining Twitter!  That’s right; Twitter intimidates the heck out of me.  But I did it, I took the plunge (look over there---à) and you know what?  I’m glad I did.  The people there (and here) are warm and welcoming and help with every little question you might have about the whole process.  LOVE IT!  I feel like I’m growing as a blogger (VERY slowly but still growing) and as a person by branching out. 

So since I’m feeling all empowered today, I’m now encouraging you to try something new in the next few weeks.  Try a new meal, try a new outfit, try a new way to style your hair, try a new bottle of wine, try a new game with the kids, visit a new place, or try a new approach to parenting. Try anything and let me know how it goes! 

Have you tried something new lately and were glad you did?

24 comments:

Krista {Not Mommy of the Year} said...

AHH... I am so the same way on the trying new things, thing. We go on vacation and I want to go to places like the Olive Garden & the Outback. Why? Because I know what to expect. So. there.

Anyway. So glad you're on Twitter. It's my very favorite time suck. :)

Rach (DonutsMama) said...

I'm not good with change either and it's something I need to work on. It seems as I've gotten older I've become less adaptable and that's not something I want to model for my kid, you know? I don't want her to be afraid of trying new things. Just not skydiving or anything!

Joni said...

I'll take the challenge on the new wine!

Rebecca said...

I'm actually one of those people who thrive off of changes...however, some things I just want how I want them...like choosing one of two different meals when we go to my favorite restaurant, or being reticent to change Christmas traditions. As for something new I've tried lately, well, that would be blogging. Haha. I'm beginning to eye the Twitter, but still don't know what I think about it.

Alia said...

I came across your website on the SITS Forum Thread 'Let the Following Begin'.
I am now following you.
Do visit my blog too and follow it if you like.
Keep the 'Sistahood' alive!

Love,
Alia'
http://aliascreativelife.blogspot.com/

Hopes@Staying Afloat! said...

Krista,

We must be related!! I am getting better with trying new things while on vacation!

I'm glad I'm on twitter as well. Although, I'm not so sure my husband is.

Hopes@Staying Afloat! said...

Rach,

I totally understand where you are coming from. We are our children's first example so I'm really trying hard to have fun trying new things. But I'm with you on the skydiving...no way, no how!

Hopes@Staying Afloat! said...

Joni,

I knew I could count on you for that. LOL!

Hopes@Staying Afloat! said...

Rebecca,

Congrats on trying blogging! You should really try Twitter as well. It really is a great support system! If I can do it, anyone can do it!

Hopes@Staying Afloat! said...

Ali,

Welcome! SITS Rocks! Will make sure to check out your blog!

Hope you visit again soon!

Grumpy Grateful Mom said...

Congrats on Twitter! I'm afraid of change too, especially if things are already going OK. I don't want to mess that up!

And I could eat french toast at least every other day. Delcious! Maybe I'll just try a new kind of french toast. :)

Hopes@Staying Afloat! said...

Grumpy Grateful Mom,

Yeah, I used to be permanently placed in the "Don't Rock The Boat" category. Trying to change that...SO HARD!

Oh me likey all kinds of french toast. Original, fruit topped, powder sugared...even stuffed! Okay...now I can't wait for breakfast!

Alison said...

Well done with taking the plunge! Twitter is worth it though, right?

I like what I like, but I'm not afraid of change. I can't think of anything new to try off the top of my head, but when I do, I will!

Hopes@Staying Afloat! said...

Alison,

Thank you! And thank you for being so supportive with all of it. You're right, it's SOOO worth it.

Do you have a new recipe you've been wanting to try?

Kimberly said...

I'm not very good with change either, but I'm trying to do better with that. But I'm glad you're on twitter! It's so nice chatting with you there. It definitely takes the blog relationship to a more chatty level.

Hopes@Staying Afloat! said...

Kim,

It really hard to get out of the routine ordinary stuff isn't it? Totally a work in progress for me. Heck, I'm a work in progress.

I'm glad on twitter as well. LOVE chatting with you too, thank you for making it a warm and inviting place to be.

It is definitely chatty, but I love to chat so it fits perfectly!

Anonymous said...

I am very happy you are on twitter. I do try to connect with people there and it is fun.
Change is hard for me too, but I am at a point where I am just trying to have fun and be more carefree. As you read my blog you know some days I just throw topics out there. I'd never strike up those conversations in person.......at least not yet. ;)

Hopes@Staying Afloat! said...

Opimistic Mom,

I'm happy I joined twitter as well. It's really be a ton of fun!

Good for you for posting things you wouldn't normally ask people IRL! I think it's great that you are trying to be so carefree. I should try and do that more myself.

Terri said...

Way to go. I'm completely addicted to Twitter. It's the first place I go when I log on. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
I'll have to think about what I would like to try that's new for me. I've recently started posting Guest posts, that was a bit scary but I took the plunge and I'm glad I did. Now onto something else new.

Hopes@Staying Afloat! said...

Terri,

I completely see what all the fuss is about with Twitter. It easily becomes addictive. Good for you for starting Guest Posts. Even the littlest changes help us to grow. It's amazing.

My Innrer Chick said...

..... "I would somehow revert to that high school girl who wasn’t cool enough to hang out with the “popular” crowd."
Oh, that is funny. YOU are Very COOl.
I'm glad you took a chance on blogging...I can already see you have followers. You can free your voice now.:)

Hopes@Staying Afloat! said...

My Inner Chick,

Thank you so very much for stopping by my little space! It means a lot!

I seriously thought I would be the odd man out on Twitter (of all places). I'm glad I took a leap and tried it. Turns out...I'm not the odd man at all! That just rocks a little..or even a lot!

I've really enjoyed blogging...who knew?!?!?

Hope to see you around here again soon.

Kate F. said...

So glad you took the chance :) I know you'll love Twitter! I call myself a "sticker." I have a horrible problem with change and if I find something I like - well... I stick to it (example I have only had two hairdressers my entire life! And two only because I moved!) Embracing change is hard! I get it! But YOU WILL LOVE Twitter :)

Hopes@Staying Afloat! said...

Kate,

I definitely have no regrets so far! :o)