30 Day Face Your Fears Challenge

Day 10 - When I became a member here at 7C I told everyone about the website in just a short message, not wanting to force anything on anyone. But I have a cousin who I know is interested in "me-time" and personal growth. I was afraid to send a longer, more descriptive message, because I didn't want to nag and I also wasn't sure how her christian beliefs would respond to some of the mindfulness exercises. But I really felt like 7C could be beneficial to her. So I sent her an email, telling her more about all the different things available, and that she could just navigate around what she doesn't believe in or adjust it to suit her own needs. Haven't heard back from her yet. But I'm really REALLY hoping she will give it a try.

Day 11 - I worked through the Boundaries self help guide today. I was hesitant to go through it, because I don't want to take in too much information at once and feel overwhelmed. But also because I was scared of what I might learn about boundaries in my own life that are not in place. But I got through it and I decided that I cannot just live my life by what others feel is "right". I know the context and I know what is right for me, best for me. Trying to continuously force myself along a path that other people think will be best for me, is not best and will not eventually get me out of depression. I have to do what I know is right for me.

Day 12 - Today I dared to tell my listener what I need from her. Which isn't to say that that is what I will get. But I thought it was important to be honest, vulnerable and brave in saying very plainly what I felt I needed. I am proud of myself for doing it.

Day 13 - I've wanted to try posting one of my own pictures for a while now, but I've never done it before. So I kept putting it off because of my fear of the unknown. But today I tried it and it worked! Thank you so much to the people answering in the thread "Posting Pictures" - you really explained it very well.

Today I did something worth doing - I helped someone on 7 cups. and I also tried to understand better all the problems faced by people around me by reading other forum posts, guides, replied to a lot of posts and also made online outreach efforts. :)

Day 14 - I know how to drive "stick", change gears, but I've never driven with an automatic vehicle. I've never wanted to learn. I was scared. Everyone said it's so much easier and I will enjoy it, but I just refused. Today I had to learn how, because tomorrow I will be home alone, with only an automatic car available, and I am going to have to take my cat to the vet. Can't wait for someone else to come back and take me - I have to do it. So I learned. I'm still shaking, but I learned. What we won't do for our pets.

Day 15 - I can't believe that I'm only halfway now. It feels like I've had to be brave for so long. This time I will share about a listener who confronted me and I felt very scared. My immediate reaction was to just withdraw and move on to a different listener. I'm also scared of men, so him being a man in itself was scary for me. But I tried to hear him out and when he asked how the conversation was going for me I answered him honestly instead of just withdrawing. I had to face more confrontation. In the end I did end the chat, but not immediately like I wanted to. I resisted that immediate urge. I think that should count.

Day 16 - I am afraid to be alone with my sister-in-law, because I'm afraid we will have nothing to talk about. They were visiting last night and the two of us ended up alone together as everyone started going to bed. I asked her about something the family discussed earlier in the evening and it led to a revelation from my side that I don't always have faith in the future. Which then led to her opening up and also talking about her insecurities. I felt like in that vulnerable moment, we met each other in a way and had a connection. I will treasure that connection as we move forward in our relationship.

Day 17 - I wanted to become a listener but I was afraid. So I decided to break it down into smaller steps. Just open the account. Just do one part of the training. But at some point a listener has to listen to be a listener. I went through a lot of what if this and what if that in my mind. But I realised that at some point I am just going to have to jump in and apply my knowledge, see how it goes. So I did.

Day 1: Going down the stairs in socks. I have fallen down the stairs three (3) times in a four (4) month period. l was wearing socks and misjudged the edge of a step. Then I fall. I never hit my head. I do, however, have a compression fracture on one of my lower vertebrae. So I always put shoes on now to go down the stairs. Well, tonight I had to grab some cat food from the kitchen and I was already at the top of the stairs when I remembered this. So I held the banister tightly and made it downstairs in my socks.