Taking Risks and Facing Uncertainty
Why is it so important to take risks and try new things and how can we stop being afraid?
Hello everyone and welcome to the September issue of this newsletter! This topic felt particularly important and fitting for both of us this month because we are both going through or have recently gone through some big life changes, which can be difficult to navigate.
G: This feels very ironic as I write the introduction for the newsletter because I just moved to France for my study abroad experience and right now the last thing I want to do is take risks and face my fears. However, writing this newsletter will also be a form of help and guidance for me and if it can help me then I am sure it can help all of you reading this. This newsletter was inspired by the fact that September (for most of us) is when we go back to school or uni so there is a big period of change and transition - even if we have left education now uncertainty and taking risks are things that constantly follow us in our lives no matter how young or how old we are. In today’s edition, we will talk about why we should be taking more risks, how to stay curious and push yourself out of your comfort zone as well as, like always, give you recommendations and practical tips on how to face any uncertainty or any change you may be experiencing in your life.
Grace’s Recommendation:
This is such a good podcast episode - one of few that actually gave me chills when I listened to it because it felt like Mel Robbins was talking to me directly and I felt like I could relate to so many of the things she was saying. When listening to this podcast I felt seen and it really helped me navigate the uncertainty I was feeling that day. I 100% recommend to give this a listen, seriously.
Emily’s Recommendation:
For this month I thought I would recommend taking yourself out on a date. This month I have tried to spend time alone doing things I have wanted to do for a while. I have enjoyed taking myself to a local cafe writing podcast scripts and doing some creative writing. If you have been waiting to do something but none of your friends have been able to come with you, I encourage you to still do it. Don’t wait for others to be ready you can still enjoy doing something alone.
This Month’s Podcast Episodes:
I feel like there is no stage in our lives that replicates the curiosity we have as babies. I often see little kids looking around, asking countless questions, and fearlessly trying new things. This is something we gradually lose as we grow older. We stop taking the time to observe the world around us; we become afraid to ask questions for fear of being judged or criticized. As we grow up, our fears only seem to build higher and higher.
So, how do we stay curious? How do we try new things and overcome the fear that holds us back from believing in our own abilities?
Never stop asking questions (even when you think they’re stupid)
The simple truth is that no question is a stupid question, and if someone tries to bring you down for asking, that’s their issue, not yours. Asking questions is a fundamental part of life, and it’s a shame that, as we grow older, we tend to stop asking as much. I think this happens because we're often made to feel like we should already have all the answers. The reality is, no matter how many lives you live or how old you are, you’ll never know everything. Asking questions is one of the best ways to develop and strengthen your mindset. Staying curious helps us grow—as long as we ask questions respectfully.
Try new things / Explore a wide variety of activities
There is so much to see and do in this world, and a great way to fuel your curiosity is by continuously trying new things. This often requires pushing through discomfort and negative feelings, but once you take that leap of faith, just imagine all the incredible experiences that will open up to you.
Push yourself outside of your comfort zone
We’ve touched on the topic of comfort zones many times in our newsletters over the years, which shows just how crucial they are. Your comfort zone can either hold you back or allow you to live a life full of fun and new experiences. Curiosity thrives when you stop letting fear control you—or better yet, when you feel the fear and do it anyway. A quote I often remind myself of, even when it’s tough to follow, is: “If something in this world scares you, it’s even more important that you do it.”
You don’t always have to take risks in life, especially those you haven’t fully thought through. However, sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone and taking a calculated risk can have a profound impact on your life. We’re going to offer some advice on how to take risks more often, especially if you're naturally risk-averse. Keep in mind, though, that risks can be unpredictable, and things might not always go as planned.
5 Tips for Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone and Taking Risks:
Start Small: Begin with manageable risks that push you slightly out of your comfort zone, like trying a new hobby or speaking up in a meeting. This will help normalize the idea of taking risks and make it easier to tackle bigger ones later on.
Prepare and Plan: Before taking a major risk, assess potential outcomes and plan for both success and setbacks. While you can’t prepare for everything, some preparation can reduce anxiety. Talking to people who have taken similar risks can also provide valuable advice.
Focus on Growth, Not Just Results: Shift your focus away from fear of failure. Instead of concentrating solely on the outcome, focus on the growth you experience along the way, which can be just as important as achieving a specific result.
Understand That Risks Create Opportunities: Taking risks opens up new opportunities, whether it's advancing your career, meeting new people, or learning something about yourself. Playing it safe often limits your potential.
Avoid Long-Term Regret: Over time, avoiding risks can lead to regret. While you don’t have to constantly push yourself out of your comfort zone, taking risks every now and then is something you shouldn’t be afraid of.
One Month of Study Abroad (a few insights if any of you are in the same boat)
This experience might be challenging—full of ups and downs. But that's more normal than you might realize; the majority of us struggle when moving abroad, and for good reason. Be kind to yourself because it’s natural for things to be difficult in the beginning, or even for a while. Trust in your ability to navigate these tough moments, and try to find comfort and joy in the small, day-to-day things.
Don’t take it too seriously. For me, at least, my year abroad doesn’t count toward my final grade, so my advice would be to not take things too seriously (though if you’re like me, this might be easier said than done!). This could be one of the few chances you’ll have to live abroad without the usual pressures of a career or other adult responsibilities. So, have fun! Explore new places, and don’t worry if your grades or exam results aren’t what you’re used to—there’s no reason to stress.
Stay connected with friends and family. Being abroad can sometimes feel lonely, so having a support circle is important. Whether you’re feeling down or just need a casual chat, it helps to have people you can rely on. Being in a place where you might not speak the language fluently can feel isolating, so having someone to call or message when needed has been a huge help for me.
Keep yourself busy. Even if you're alone, make an effort to go out and explore. Not only will you discover new places in your city, but staying busy is a great way to distract yourself when feeling homesick or anxious. Sometimes, distraction is one of the best ways to cope with difficult times.
Do you all have any more tips? I’d love to hear any advice you have to offer! <3
We also wanted to share some videos that relate to this topic and might give you fresh insights. <3 I’ll be looking for more videos to share soon, but for now, I thought these resources would be helpful. ;)
