Thursday, August 16, 2012

going out of my elephant

I have never been one for change and trying new things. I was always a picky eater and hated every time we moved an I had to go to a new school (it happened a lot). I had the things I enjoyed doing and was scared to try new things and meet new people.

About 2 years ago something in me changed. I have no idea what it was, but I decided to mix things up. Maybe I was tired of being in a rut or tired of being scared. I have no idea.

It all started when I went out to lunch with my bestie. For as long as I can remember I wouldn't eat fish. I don't know if it was the smell or what, but I probably hadn't eaten it since I was a very little kid. I told my bestie I decided I was going to try new things and was going to start with food. I was going to stop being a picky eater and try everything at least once. Fish was a good start.

So, when she asked me what I was doing to order I said "I am going to go out of my elephant and order some tilapia!" She started to laugh. Yes my friends, I said elephant instead of element! And we both never forgot it!

I ordered the tilapia and loved it! From then on I was unstoppable. I tried everything that I thought I hated or used to hate. Brussel sprouts, love them! Mushrooms, still not my fave, but I will eat them now. Olives, love them on pizza and in salad! Chickpeas, can't get enough falafel and hummus! Bananas, still have issues eating them, but only some times and it's a texture thing. I used to not eat hamburgers or if I did they had to be well done. I cant get enough of them and I get them medium now. I could go on and on, but you get the point.

Every time I went out to eat with my bestie she asked if I was going to go out of my elephant today. We would both get a good laugh and it would remind me to try something new. Rarely was I disappointed.

After the food I decided to move onto trying other new things. I decided to get back into crocheting after not doing it for almost 10 years. I was worried I completely forgot how and to this day new patterns get me a little nervous, but I seemed to still have a handle on it and with each new pattern I get more confident.

I always hated writing in school because I wasn't very good at it. I would pass my classes, but I never got awesome remarks on my writing. So, when I found blogs and a bloggy friend suggested I start one I was scared out of my mind. Who the heck would read anything I wrote? Who would even understand anything I wrote? After thinking it over a bit I remembered my little challenge to myself and the thought going out of my elephant gave me the courage. I was so nervous, but I wrote my first blog post. Some days I still think, what the heck am I doing writing? But then I remember how amazing this community is. Meeting new people was something else I was scared of, but after laying my hopes, dreams, emotions and quirks out on my blog and people still read my posts, like me, support me and want to meet me. It's amazing and uplifting.

Now, I try new things all the time. I'm not scared anymore. I take risks and most of the time they turn out great.

All because I went out of my elephant.

When was a time that you went out of your elephant and it turned out to be a great thing?

16 comments:

  1. BAHAHA, out of your elephant...

    I went to an interview at a graduate school I never thought I'd get into. Not only did I get in, but I got an assistantship at the #1 school in the nation for what I do. Made great friends while there and got a great education. It got me the job I have now which is how I met my husband.

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  2. Its always good to try new things. Oh and I hate when I forget how to do something. I used to be good at foreign languages but not anymore. Though I'm still able to recognize a Parisian accent from a Canadian French one.

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    1. I bet if you went back to it, it would come back to you faster than you think.

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  3. Haha I just love this story and how that saying came to.be...I unfortunately love my elephant and don't stray far from it :) still so excited for you and all your updates!!

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    1. Well, if you think about it, you had to stray pretty far form your elephant and be so brave to go through all the IF stuff you have!

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  4. Love it (elephant - hee hee)! And I love your blog. It's one of my favorites and you are a great writer!

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    1. Thank you sams. You are so sweet. So sorry about your BFN. Huge Hugz!

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  5. Love this! I guess I've done a lot of crazy/different things in my life, but now that you mention it, I wonder how much I've really chosen to do things "out of my elephant"? It was pretty big to begin with, thanks to parents who practically made me try everything ... I'll have to think about this one! :)

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    1. I wish my Mom had made me try more new things when I was younger. She gave in to my picky eating and I didn't do many new things because I was so sheltered.

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  6. Love the elephant reference! I'll have to tell it to DH.

    I went through many years of not eating bananas. Nowadays I can eat them if they are still a bit green. When they are fully ripe they are too mushy and sweet. BUT when they are a bit too ripe (spotty), they are perfect for smoothies or baking (I usually freeze them first, so they don't go bad before I use them.) Banana bread? Love it!

    My biggest "going out of my elephant" was moving half a world a way from my family.

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    1. That is exactly how I am with bananas! I love banana bread!

      Yea moving away from everyone is a big one!

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  7. This totally makes me think of Ian trying asparagus at my hs reunion. He loves it now!!

    As for me, hm...karaoke! I'm so, so, terribly shy, but I love to sing. We haven't gone in years now, but it used to be a weekly thing with some friends, ad every week it was the same thing. I'd have to psych myself up just to fill out the little slip of paper, but after the first song, I always had a great time.

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    1. I would never be able to get up and sing karaoke! Strange though because I sang in my high school chorus and we traveled and did competitions in front of thousands of people. I think some was even televised somewhere!

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  8. I love this. I'm going to start using the phrase!! :)

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