wanting to think about it

Before saying yes to a girls' trip to Costa Rica, I wanted to think about it. When a spot was offered to me last fall, I wanted to go, but my brain offered lots of reasons why I shouldn't - and it all boiled down to doubt and fear.

I thought thinking about it would make me feel more confident and certain. But it didn't. Time actually makes it more likely that we'll feel MORE doubt + fear. Which definitely happened for me - I originally said no to the trip.

I thought I should feel confident and certain about it - that would be the sign that I was making the "right" decision.

But our brain makes us feel confident and certain when we make a decision that's known and safe. Not because it's the "right" decision. And it's our brain's job to make sure we stay safe, so it wants us to make the same kind of decisions we've made in the past - and not go outside our comfort zone.

Once I learned this, I realized that the very fear + doubt that I had felt was just because going on a girls' trip to Costa Rica was outside my comfort zone. And that these negative emotions were the sign that I was actually on the right path - because this was just discomfort that would lead to growth.

And so when a spot on the trip opened up a few weeks before takeoff, I didn't take time to think about it. I told myself that of course this felt scary, and that was the exact reason why I was going to do it.

And you know what? It's one of the best decisions I've ever made.

I had so much fun, got to know some amazing women and got to know myself better too. And I pushed myself everyday to do something outside of my comfort zone - and I grew so much and came back feeling confident and grounded in myself.

So when you're making a decision and you're feeling fear + doubt, ask yourself, is this discomfort that leads to growth? I'd love to hear about it!