Overcoming the fear of being the newbie

No three words strike more fear into people’s hearts than ‘try something new’. There’s many reasons people avoid trying new things. We’re afraid we’ll look silly or that we won’t know what we’re doing or that we might not even enjoy it!

We might feel a bit apprehensive or nervous when entering unfamiliar territory – it’s completely normal! However, instead of letting the worries hold us back from signing up, how can we, instead, accept them and challenge them? Naturally, this is much easier said than done.

You are now leaving the comfort zone

Ah, the comfort zone. The big cushy halo that surrounds us all and makes us feel, well, comfortable. Why would we want to stray out of it?? As Sheldon in The Big Bang Theory put it: “Why would we want to do that? It’s called “the comfort zone” for a reason”.

Well, because it’s good for you, and you might just be pleasantly surprised. Granted, the comfort zone is great and it does what it says on the box, but it’s taking those tiny-nay-nerve-wracking leaps out of it which can open our comfort zone to new and rewarding experiences.

In saying that, here are few tips that have helped me over the years when diving headfirst into that new activity, which will hopefully help you too.

Embrace being the newbie!

Say it loudly and proudly – “Yes, this is my first time painting fruits in a bowl!”, “Yes, I’ve never done tap dancing before!”. You will feel a bit lost or overwhelmed at first, and why you may ask? Say it with me – because it’s new to you! It’ll take some time to find your feet and that’s ok! It’s part of being the newbie! It says so right here in the definition:

New: (adjective)

– already existing but seen, experienced or acquired recently or now for the first time

Ask questions.

What better way to learn than to ask questions. That’s what your instructor/teacher/mentor/director is there for, right? Never feel silly for asking for help. You won’t know if you don’t ask! Knock and the door will open! Maybe the person next to you could offer advice – they might be in the exact same boat as you.

Remember – you won’t be an expert straight away!

Yes, despite the rumours, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Be patient with yourself. It might be hard for a bit, or frustrating, but be resilient! Slowly, but surely, you’ll get better at it. You might look around and think: “wow, they’re so much better than me”. STOP! Comparison is the thief of joy! Plus, they might look around and think the same thing about you! It’s hard not to compare yourself to others but, trust me, focus on yourself, your own journey and enjoyment.

Manage your expectations

I think keeping your expectations at a reasonable level is important. Don’t go in there expecting you’ll have the most amazing time or, on the flip-side, the worst time. Instead, keep your expectations at a manageable level. Go with the flow and take it from there.

If you didn’t enjoy that new activity as much as you thought you would, that’s ok! We move on to the next hobby. The important thing is that you put yourself out there and gave it a whirl. And if you had an awesome time, hooray!

Lastly, and most importantly, be open to learning!

Let new knowledge and skills into your life with open arms!

Cover art: try something new beads message typography by rawpixel.com on Freepik