Left to my natural inclinations, I am a junk food eating, social situation avoiding, couch potato germaphobe who looks at the bad side of every situation and avoids trying new things. This is not who I want to be, so I wage war on myself, going from one extreme to the other. I seek a middle ground in which I gently push myself in the right direction and live a healthy, active lifestyle.
I am blogging about a series of challenges I give to myself, so that I don’t remain, in the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “too timid and squeamish.” Some of the challenges will not strike others as something to be timid or squeamish about. Those are the ones where I need to give myself a little push to get out of the house or make a change that is healthier. Sometimes I just need to break through inertia (OK, laziness) and get something done.
I value collecting experiences rather than collecting things (well, iPads do seem pretty cool), and on the surface it may appear that I am not too timid and squeamish. I love to travel and have had some amazing experiences:
Petting a tiger in Thailand
Drinking snake whiskey in Laos
Sleeping under the stars in the Sahara (after a camel caravan)
Photo by Agra Baroti
Climbing Mt. Washington with my family
Traveling alone to Costa Rica
These experiences, while fraught with some anxiety, were in some ways easier for me to accomplish than things like inviting people to a cookout, speaking up at a meeting, or drinking out of somebody’s cup. I guess we all have obstacles and insecurities that hold us back, right?
Regular features on my blog
- I publish postcards that readers send in from outside their comfort zones. Celebrate your courage. Send me a postcard!
- I write completing challenges on my 101 things in 1001 days list.
- I also write a Scene from a Memoir — a story from my past — occasionally.
Check out my ebook: Timid No More | Subscribe to my newsletter
Thanks for visiting!
And I laughed at the "American Fried Rice." } – 
I love your blog! And, I admire you for stepping out of yourself and doing! Just stopping by from SITS 31dbbb. I am going to go check out some more stuff. You can check out my blog at http://kitchenandkids.com and twitter @kitchenandkids.
Thanks Amy. I found a lot of great recipes on your site that I’m sure my boys will love!
Hi Marcy!
I am so glad you commented on my blog so that I could find yours! Breaking out of your comfort zone is certainly a scary and difficult thing to do, but you are doing an amazing job at it! I am excited to read about the challenges you have already conquered and the ones coming up! Can’t wait to read more
I really like the idea of your blog and I can relate, since I have inner battles too! I am squeamish about eating or drinking weird things (I would never drink snake whisky)!
Thanks, Jenni. It was supposed to give me the strength of a cobra (but I was definitely very squeamish about it)!
Wow Marcy, this is a great blog. I’m going to try and use it to inspire me to make little changes and break out of my “junk food eating, social situation avoiding, couch potato” shell and experience new things. That is if I can stop procrastinating long enough.
Looking forward to seeing where you guys are vacationing this summer – the photos always give me the travel bug.
Thanks, Deb, lol.
Oh, my gosh! I want your life.
I am much Too Timid and Squeamish. I’m so impressed.
Hi Marcy,
Just clicked over from SITS. Yesterday’s challenge has me checking “About” pages & I love yours! My favorite thing about it is the pics. Usually people (myself included) post one shot of their face & that’s it. All your photos really help us get to know you better. Great job.
abi
facebook: http://on.fb.me/kyLxsa
abi recently posted..Good & Tasty Tuesday
I love the idea behind this blog. I’m a bit of an introvert myself – unless I’ve got a camera in front of my face. Good luck to you!
Kristina recently posted..Getting Personal: New England Portrait Photography
Pingback: It’s About Time | (Don't Be) Too Timid and Squeamish
Hi Marcy
I love your blog, I was just checking out your About me and page and found you also have 101 List. I have started mine as well to over come my timidity. All the the best on yours
Love your blog! Thanks for sharing…and thanks for organizing Friday night tennis on Saturday.
Thanks! and thanks for getting the word out on Saturday. That was fun.
Hi Marcy. I am so inspired by your blog. I am constantly battling inertia (laziness) LOVE that. I am too timid and squeamish and need to find a path to find more experiences. I will continue to use your blog as inspiration. Love the meatless Monday idea. Starting with this! Hopefully my couch potato days will dwindle down. Thanks!
That’s so nice of you to say, Kristina. Thank you! Good luck staying off the couch. I have always been impressed by you and your ability to do great things!
Hiya!
I can so relate with the natural inclination to avoid social situations and be a couch potato! It’s a constant struggle to NOT do that for me too… I also have a 101 list – second one in fact, as I completed much of the first.
While I have had some amazing experiences too from this list, and all of them have helped me out of my shell *a little*, I think I’ll always be inclined to avoid social situations if I don’t push myself, so I understand completely!!!
Here’s a comment from one timid woman to another! haha.
Amy @ Turtle-speed Runner recently posted..WIGTOW? (What I’m going to eat Wednesday)
I’ll check out your list. I have been thinking about whether to do another one when I finish.
Pingback: Guest post on traveling the world with children | (Don't Be) Too Timid and Squeamish
I am loving your blog. I’ve just started mine recently and am totally looking at yours as a fantastic example. You are an amazing person and I love these personal challenges your setting for yourself.
Jennifer recently posted..Scene from a memoir I haven’t written yet
Thanks so much!
You. Rock!!!!
My Inner Chick recently posted..What To Say And What Not To Say To A Mourning Girl
I LOVE your blog idea! So fantastic. I just wrote about this very idea… Now I am going to have to read more of the challenges you have taken! Bravo for you.
Erin M Threlfall recently posted..The "I AM NOT" challenge.
Thanks, Erin. I love your “I am not” challenge! What a great attitude.
Pingback: Pura Vida: Traveling Alone to Costa Rica | (Don't Be) Too Timid and Squeamish
Hi there! I really do enjoy your site and think it has great ideas! I have nominated you for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award (see http://explorenewness.wordpress.com/2012/11/17/a-new-blogging-experience-blog-award-nomination/). All the best!
Thank you so much!
This is a great blog idea and I can really relate! I’m thinking about starting one up and yours has given me some inspiration to actually get out of my comfort zone, and well, blog. I really like your “Scene from a memoir” — what a neat way to look back, and reflect.
Thanks for (hopefully) a push in the right direction
I would love to check your blog out when you get it going. Let me know