The first reason has to be because life is very short... too short to hold back on something interesting but scary. If you want to do something... anything from having sushi instead of the usual lunchtime sandwich or going to the cinema on your own, or talking to that nice-looking bloke in the queue at the post office, to climbing Everest. Don’t listen to fear-mongers and naysayers. An hour on Facebook or going for a walk with your camera?
Jacqui Furneaux
If life offers you a choice and one of them is safe but boring and the other one is a bit risky and interesting, go for the risky one. The pleasure you’ll get from it will be great and your confidence in yourself will grow. People will tell you how brave you are and you’ll be having fun!
Do something risky for the next generation. I hear parents telling their children to be careful all the time. Some are hardly allowed to run about any more. It makes me very sad as I see us becoming afraid of the world we live in and are becoming timid and less outgoing. My parents never told me to be careful and I thank them for it.
Women have been pushing their boundaries for generations. I am currently investigating women explorers from my home city of Bristol. They abandoned their corsets and stays and went horse-riding in the Italian Alps, or up the Nile exploring Egypt or travelling to defend persecuted people at risk to their own safety. All this without guide books or satellite navigation. Or permission. They just got on and did it. Sometimes in trousers!
You learn to trust people. I found that whenever I was in a sticky situation, people would help me. I broke down on my motorbike or had punctures or got lost. People will bend over backwards to help, or if they can’t, find someone who can. This happened to me over and over again.
You learn to trust yourself. “Hey! I can do this!” You solve a problem, you find where you are on the map, you make yourself understood in shaky school French or Spanish or sign language. It is satisfying. You feel great and there’s smiles all round
You learn to trust your instinct and develop a sixth sense we don’t always need in our everyday lives. If something doesn’t feel right, move away but if it does feel right, do it, go there, talk to that person.
Say ‘Yes’ more often.
Don’t let anyone tread on your dreams. There are plenty of people who want to discourage you because they are scared or don’t want you to succeed. Ignore them and make your plans.
Talk to people about what you’re planning to do. Instead of putting you off, they may have useful advice. Everyone has a story. Just talk to people!
