…well except skydiving. Seriously. Never skydiving. I am not a fan of heights. Some heights are ok…the kind where I am safe and at no risk of dying. Those kind are ok. The kind where you would jump out of a perfectly good plane….not ok.

Other than my fear of dying from falling from a high height, I also have this other fear. It seems silly really, but it is a daily fear. It’s the fear of regret. The fear that I will be left out of something amazing. Or pass up an opportunity and be left wondering “what if?” A sure way to put a friendship with me in jeopardy is to purposefully make me feel left out. I hate it!

Because of this fear, and intense need to avoid feelings of regret, I can be convinced to do just about anything. This sounds so terrible! haha but really it’s true. (except skydiving….see above) My instant reaction to most questions is no. “No I don’t want to walk across a bridge that is suspended by two cables above a large canyon with a river at the bottom.” or “No I don’t want to travel alone more than halfway across the country and then drive two hours on a 10 lane highway just to see a waterfall.” Buuut I know in my gut, if I don’t do it, I WILL regret it later. Because of this, I am up for just about anything. All it takes is a simple “it’ll be fun!” and I’m on board.

At first I really struggled with this revelation. Does this make me weak minded? Does it make me a follower to whatever it is someone else suggests? Am I really that easily manipulated? Honestly, I’m not at all. I am simply adventurous. I value the importance of trying new things. I see the value in putting yourself outside your comfort zone, and I know that many of life’s greatest memories come from trying something new.

These moments, these stories, mean so much to me, that it’s become an actual fear that I will miss out on the opportunity to make one. There’s no greater feeling than trying something new and being able to say “I did that”. No matter how small it may seem. It doesn’t have to be grand, or life changing. It can be simple.

Eight years ago, while at the mall with my best friend, Jessica, we somehow found ourselves in the travel agents office getting her to price out a Disneyland trip for the two of us. We had our credit cards out, dates picked and were ready to book when I backed out. I had two interviews for a job I wanted more than anything lined up and booking the trip could potentially put that job at risk. So I said should wait. We could go on the trip next year. The trip never happened, and I regret it ALL. THE. TIME. (and for the record I still have never been to Disneyland!)

Since then, I learned to always be up for trying something new. I got convinced to zipline…despite the heights, and near panic attacks, I survived and loved it by the end. (haha it did take a few treks to warm up to it though!). I danced on top of a bar at Coco Bongo in Cancun with one of my brides, I ate bugs at the Aquarium with Jessica (not quite Disneyland but it’ll do for now) I went on a trip to California with my best friend Jackie and we splashed in the ocean and got soaked, requiring us to dress on the side of the highway through Malibu….she also dragged me down a water run off cliff down to the beach, where we then had to walk through a random forest after dark to try to find our way back to our car. I tried hiking more with my Dad and fell in love with mountains more so than I already am. Last year on my birthday I tried paddle boarding in California with two amazing friends! And I am currently planning an ice fishing trip with Jessica and my old work for next week!

I have always been a big fan of bucket lists. I have a huge long list in my head of things I would like to try in my lifetime. Learning to knit, speak French fluently, visit Italy, see the Northern Lights, see a real igloo (haha I’m so Canadian), see Montreal play IN Montreal, go to Bonhomme Carnival, ride on a dogsled, rock climb outdoors, make homemade Baked Alaska, and learn how to play a musical instrument other than the recorder.

I turn 30 (gulp!) in just under two months. With this looming birthday, I have been inspired to try new things even more than normal and I want to see how many new things I can fit in before the big day, or atleast this year! I would love to hear your ideas!! (Keep them clean! haha I already know a few friends in particular will have a hayday with inappropriate suggestions so keep them appropriate!)

Every new thing I try, I will make sure to post an instagram or two about it! So follow along!

Not only do I want to hear ideas for me to try, but I would love to hear your ideas too! What’s something you’ve always wanted to try!?! What’s holding you back?! Try it! :)

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