Slowly Stepping Out Of My Comfort Zone...

~ Posted on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 7:54 AM ~

It was about half year ago since I posted about my paranoia of going out. There were some crime cases happening then (and even now still is) which added on to my paranoia!

A few weeks back, a fellow SAHM friend shared a status update in her Facebook that she is stepping out of her comfort zone by taking a public transportation (a train) to go check out a book fair and I was touched at her words.

Stepping out of her comfort zone.

I've been couped up in my house most of the time. With my 2 kiddos. Unless it is weekend or hubby has no business appointments on weekdays, it's pretty much stuck at home for me and my 2 kiddos.

Ever since I read that few words, I too planned to gather up my courage again to go out.

To drive my car (it's an almost 15 years old second hand car which used to be hubby's) out somewhere so I can experienced something new instead of the walls in my house.

So I have been slowly planning grocery trips with my 2 kiddos. And in order to bring my 2 kiddos out, I had to lure my MIL along so that she can help look after my kiddos while I drive.

So far, it has been 2 times since I managed to do that. It has so far became a fortnightly grocery trips and the first time we went out, my MIL dumped me and my 2 kiddos the moment we stepped into the supermarket. I think she went bonkers when she saw the newly decorated supermarket (which we have not frequented for almost a year). I told myself 'Nevermind. Even though I'm stuck with my 2 kiddos again, at least, it's not home and it's outside. Something new.' And in the first trip, I managed to handle my 2 kiddos all by myself for 3.5 hours while my MIL shops happily.

The second time we went to the supermarket again (last week), I decided to let my boy tires himself out by pushing his baby sister in the trolley. Don't worry I stood behind my boy watching and monitoring closely both my kiddos.

Then I was hungry as I have not taken my breakfast yet. So we parked our trolley outside the cafe and I had my breakfast before we continued on with our shopping.

And then my girl got restless and I thought it is better to tire her out now by letting her push her big brother in the trolley. The second trip lasted near 2 hours before I surrendered and rushed my MIL to finish up her shopping and go back home.

I told my hubby just the other day of my plan to bring the kiddos and his mum out maybe every fortnight so I can gather up my courage to drive out more often instead of being stuck at home all the time. He agreed with my plans and offered to give me allowance for the grocery shopping as well. Woohooo! I hope I'll be able to venture further next time!

If you are a SAHM, do you go out to have some 'me' time?

What do you do to pass time?

Comments (41) -

Michelle S

I had to step out of my comfort zone and move from WI to Cali. It took some adjusting since there was such a great leap in crime, but I eventually got over it because I had to drive everywhere on one of the busiest highways all of the time. Life lesson for sure.

Laura Smith

I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia among other things about 2 1/2 years ago.  I had trouble because of brain fog I would be driving and forget where I was or how to get home.  I had to pull over several times and ended up going back home each time, then I started having my hubby take me every where and a few months ago I had to force myself to start going places without him.  It is hard to get out of my comfort zone but it helps me when I do, now I make myself go out at twice a week.

NinerDomesticTM

I am generally an "home-body" and love my nights in with the family. My spouse recently went on a military tour for almost a year and I had to venture out into the world again and get my mind off the matter at hand and back into the outdoor fun the little ones enjoy and the adult conversations I had not had in very long. It took a lot for me, but I did it, and I am so happy I did! Smile

Stephanie Dake-Thompson

Stephanie Dake-Thompson says:

I am a Fibro suffer too and I do go out alone but make them very short trips each time since I don't like it at, all not because of the brain fog but because of the anxiety I get.  I watch my Grandsons some times and once in a while we will go somewhere they want to go just to get out and have fun with no problem except all of us very tired.

stephanie

It is hard getting out sometimes, and the longer you stay in, the harder it gets. And winter makes it worse.  Good luck!

Holly Trudeau

Glad you are trying to get out more! Being stuck at home with two kiddos day after day can cause all of you to go stir crazy! My son isn't the easiest to take out, usually a tantrum ensues somewhere, but he's slowly,but surely, learning how to behave in public. It can be challenging but mentally and physically it's best to be on the go if you can Smile

Jeanine

been there done that- it gets better with practice!

Lindsay

I'm a Lupus and Fibro sufferer. I completely understand all of these things. Been starting yoga and tai chi, it has been helping. Sometimes you just force yourself through it for a while and it evens out. Stay strong, Mommies!

Brandy Horton

Sometimes stepping out of your comfort zone can open up a whole new world...even it is is very small...its worth it!

Cynthia Renee Phillips

Cynthia Renee Phillips says:

I totally know where ur coming from I've had the same problem the last few years! I hope u can over come this!!!

jenn

Congratulations, I admire your courage. I suffer a little from agoraphobia and can go months without leaving the house except for my Dr visits. I have teenagers living with me that run all the errands. Part of this is due to it being winter. I do much better in the summer. I know what you are going through, hang in there kiddo.

Andy Grice

Take your time voyaging out,like don't try to over do it.Just relax and leave all the worrying behind.

Kayce

I totally agree with you Mommy... as a Mom, we also need to step out of our comfort zone and have a ME time for ourselves. We really need that!

Jennifer Mae Hiles

Jennifer Mae Hiles says:

Interesting, I've found that since I had my daughter, I only go out when I need to. I work full time and it's a 2 hour commute so I don't really have a choice there but when I do get home, the last thing I want to do is leave again! It just seems to be exhausting taking a toddler to run errands but I know she needs to experience things too so I must force myself to take her places.

denise smith

i like to be at home i am more comfortable in my own home i dont go out that often only when i need to. thanks for sharing  

ashima gupta

that's great, hope you had a nice time Smile

Huguette English

Huguette English says:

I try to step out of my comfort zone once in a while, but I like being home and being comfortable and not dealing with anything stressful.  Great job!

GayAnn Wright

I like to be in my home, also. And the winter is worse, because I am afraid of falling.
Those were cute pictures of the kids,though. Smile

lisa

Stepping out of a comfort zone is frightening but sometimes needed.

Lisa G

Those photos are just amazing! Going out with the little ones sometimes can be hard but your kids are so behaved Smile

Dorothy Boucher

Dorothy Boucher says:

this is wonderful, keep going for it and don't let anything stop you, it took me awhile before i could venture out but i do now ;) great pictures and Thanks for sharing your story with all of us ..

Sarah Park

Hi,

It's good to hear that you are stepping out of your comfort zone.  We really have to try different things out.  Life is too short not to be adventurous.  

Katherine G

It's great that you are beginning to step out of your comfort zone. Keep going you'll love it

kelly nicholson

kelly nicholson says:

been ther,done that!..comfort zones dont exist for me

Rama

This is such a great post! I'm glad your stepping out, every mom needs some ME time!!! If your out with just you and the kids try some local parks, playgrounds, zoos, museums, or even the children centers at the mall. If your close to a metro or train station take the kids on an adventure to different stops on the train and go sight seeing ;) Good Luck

Jeanine

I thought this was from yesterday but it's listed as posted today. I really enjoyed the adventure!

Gaynell Holmes

Very cute with some great info.

Marissa

That is braze of you to go out of your comfort zone. There are places that I do not dare to step in. Going out is very healthy. Giving your skin some sun will give you more energy & vitamins. You should try going out more. Keep up the good work.

Chie

what a fun shopping story with your little cuties...these two seems enjoying the trolley ride. hehe that's a cute scene right there in the last photo

Donna Rollings

Good for you! You should be so proud of yourself.

giulia

I know how hard it is to step out of your comfort zone but I think you should try to do it again for you and your children.

Misses Giveaways

Misses Giveaways says:

my resolution this year is to step out of my comfort zone at least once a month. It can be to easy to stay within out comfort zone.

Mary Dailey

The older I get, the harder it is for me to get ready to go somewhere.  I go ahead and get ready anyway for my husband.  Once I get there to eat with many of our friends, I'm okay, but it's just the getting ready.

Chrystal D

I'm so proud of you! Sometimes things are really hard to deal with but I think every little step helps a lot!

Danna Wolf

I commend your openness about your struggles in this. A lot of people are unaware of the prevalence of anxiety and emotional difficulties, and thus don't have empathy for it. It's important to share these kinds of experiences with others and try to wear away the taboo. I wish you all the best

Jude Skocki Kelly

Jude Skocki Kelly says:

good for you girl Smile

LAMusing

Good for you!! The more you get out the easier it will become.  Think of it as a muscle that needs exercising Smile  

Kay C

It's hard to go out with the kid.  I try to do my errands during lunch to avoid taking her out.  Otherwise I don't mind going out but prefer staying in.  I don't get a lot of me time except during work hours.  I work from home so I'm sorta of a SAHM, but more so just a single working mother.  I'm excited that I have MLK Day off and my daughter goes to school. My mom, sister, and I are planning a day out together!

Anita

It's important to get out and be in a new environment.  I find myself getting into a rut sometimes where I rarely leave the house, but once I do, it's amazing how it can change your mood!  

Heidi LeMay

I'm so glad you got to get out of the house. If nothing ,try to at least take a little drive. It always helps to break up the monotony.

RonLeyba

Good for you and for the kids to go out and spend some time together, not in front of computers. Great!

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