As I pen my 100th blog post, I read a fascinating statistic: 67% of people avoid trying new things due to fear. This fear, known as neophobia, is an extreme or irrational fear or dislike of anything unfamiliar, or new – what I classify as a “First.” First time I have heard the word neophobia. Neophobia is a common hurdle, but one that can be overcome with a little courage and curiosity. I didn’t know the percentage would be that high, but it doesn’t surprise me. People don’t like change. Doing something new fosters change. It instills knowledge, experience, and growth. It can provide childlike adventure. I found this out personally when I set out to do a “Leap Year of Firsts” in 2020. I committed to and did something new, a “first,” every day for a year.
Picture yourself in a room full of doors. Behind each door lies something different – some lead to dead ends, others to treasures. This room is a metaphor for life, where opportunities and surprises await behind every decision we make. The catch? You need to knock on these doors to discover what lies beyond them. The hesitation to knock on these doors stems from the fear of rejection or failure. Or, just plain fear of the unknown. But consider this: if you never knock, you’ll never hear a ‘no’, but you’ll also miss out on all the potential ‘yeses’ that could change your life. It’s a risk-reward scenario where the potential gains far outweigh the momentary discomfort of rejection.
Yes, during my Leap Year of firsts, some of the doors were dead ends. While other doors opened to the discovery of a hidden talent, or a life changing experience. Other doors opened that quenched a curiosity about something I was always curious about. I learned SO much. I grew as a person. It changed me. It gave me confidence to do things I would have NEVER thought I’d try or experience. Like writing my first book, flying a plane, tying a bow tie, axe throwing, performing a magic trick, attempting stand-up comedy, driving the actual speed limit for a day, attending different religious services and even sleeping on the streets with the homeless. I continue in a quest to pursue firsts. I don’t want to miss out on all the magic that life can provide. I would encourage others to Go for it, pursue Firsts – It’s worth it! It can lead to a journey of self-discovery, of understanding what truly resonates with your heart.
PS. I NEVER thought I’d write 100 Blogs – a rewarding first for me.