Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Year of Yes - February to May

Way back in October, I decided I was going to start saying "yes" more - to new things, to different opportunities, etc. It's my Year of Yes - check out the original post here - and the goal is to do 40 different things. Different for me, anyway. A lot of people might look at these things - see my first Yes update - and think "big whoop" but for me, any step outside of my comfort zone - no matter how small! - is progress. 

I've noticed, too, that the older I get, the more I find myself saying "no" to potentially fun and/or interesting things, usually with an excuse along the lines of it's too much trouble, too much hassle, blah blah. I am too young to be an old fuddy duddy!


So, here are some of my Yes moments from the last few months:

* After agonizing over whether I might be considered pushy or unprofessional, I finally took a deep breath and emailed a literary agent I've been in contact with about one of my recently published stories. Turns out, she read it and loved it! 

* Every once in awhile, my husband and I forgo our usual Thai takeout and get ourselves gussied up and go out to dinner. We went to Emeril's in Orlando and had one of the best dinners we've ever had. We went with the Tasting Menu - which included items we've never had but were willing to try! - including the Wine Pairings. I drank more wine that evening that I have over the course of the last few years. 


* My husband and I had our picture taken with sea lions at the local aquarium. We're considering making it our Christmas card this year.... 


* The development where we live has a great pool...one I haven't been to for awhile. I've been too embarrassed to go because I am so uncomfortable with how I look in my bathing suit. One day - and I don't really know why it was that day in particular - I decided enough was enough. I pulled on my suit, put on my suntan lotion and I went down to the pool. I swam and I floated and I looked up at the blue sky with the palm tree leaves reaching across it like green fingers. I was happy. 


*****


How about you all? Have you done anything different over the last few months? Are you planning on it? Taking a class you've always wanted to try? Going somewhere different? Saying "no" to something when you usually say "yes"?  Because that counts, too!

22 comments:

  1. I am a firm believer that saying "yes" to more things will lead to a more fulfilling and happy life. I need to do this myself :)

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    1. I think the trick is to make sure you're saying "yes" to things you really want to do. Otherwise, life could could get very overwhelming. :)

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  2. I don't really know if I've tried anything different over the last few months. I am supposed to take my niece camping this summer and I don't camp, so that'll be different and out of my comfort zone.

    And good for you for the things you've done, especially #1. High five!

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    1. Good for you - going camping definitely counts!

      And thanks for the high five. :)

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  3. Good for you! I'm actually trying hard to say "no" to a few more things so I can focus on what matters. But always good to be open to new experiences.

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    1. It really is a balance, isn't it? Being open, but not so open that we get filled up with the "wrong" things.

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  4. Emeril's, eh? We might have to try that one. Way to open yourself up to new experiences! I've said "yes" to more things than I can handle in a single day, but still it's fun to try. The recent one that's pushing me over the edge is bending to the pressure to publish. I've had one too many people read something I wrote and ask me to get it out there. Of course, that means all that goes with it. *gulp* --And when I do something, I never go in half-cocked. This is a pretty big "yes" for me.

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    1. It's so great that people want you to get your stuff out there, but please be careful about bending to the pressure - you don't want to break! And you don't want to let things out into the world before they're ready.

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  5. Ditto what Keith said. It's time for me to become better about saying yes. :)

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    1. I'm wondering if I should've started with "maybe." If my usual response was "no" then "maybe" would've been the next step. :)

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  6. Say no to obligations that drag and yes to new experiences!
    Now I want to see this sea lion photo.

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    1. It would certainly be a different sort of Christmas photo/card. :)

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  7. That's really wonderful.

    I tend to be a fuddy duddy though I did break out of my box and had my toes painted a bright color. I should blog about it since I blogged about my troll feet. Thanks for the idea ;)

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    1. Hey, bright colors on toenails count! I got mine done last week - after reading your troll feet post! - a deep purple. Love it! :)

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  8. Hi-ya. Nice to meet you. I hopped over from the Optimistic Existentialist's blog.

    Good for you on opening up to new things. Yeah, I've done a couple of new-to-me things recently. My hubby and I went to the north GA mountains for a few days, and panned for gold and gems. (Lots of fun!) And I recently published my first novel. (Also fun, but a teensy bit scary.)

    Count me in as your newest groupie.

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    1. Welcome, Susan! Thanks so much for "following" us here at TSR! :)

      My husband and I keep saying we're going to visit those GA mountains. Glad to hear it was a fun trip.

      And congrats on your first novel!

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  9. I love this so much! Look at all the cool stuff you did because you said yes...I need to do this more. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. It helps to look back at the interesting things I already did when I'm nervous or anxious about the next thing I want to try. :)

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  10. That's awesome that the literary agent liked your work. And YAY for fine dining and good wine.

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    1. It really was awesome, and I was so glad I took the chance. :)

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  11. I cannot tell you how happy reading this post made me! Good for you and the yes! And yes, I make myself do things out of my comfort zone (and drag Mister Man along with me)because...well, it's invigorating, isn't it? Kinda like that swim. :-)

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