By: Aditya Kumar, Brian Ohiaeri, and Kameron Newman
Being a teen is never easy. We have so much to deal with and so few people to talk to. We can feel hopeless at times and even feel like giving up. But trying new things can be undoubtedly daunting. The unfamiliar makes us nervous in a way that’s hard to describe. The act of leaving our comfort zone puts us in a vulnerable position and leaves us with an onslaught of questions running through our heads. We ask ourselves: “Should I be doing this? Can I do this? Do I look stupid? What am I doing!?” While it may not feel like it, this is normal—and it’s good. Enhancing experiences that already make you happy by putting a new spin on them is another way to try something “new” in a less intimidating form. Switching things up can help to keep you inspired and motivated. Because it can be pretty dull and uneventful following the same monotonous routine day in and day out. Take your exercise routine, for example… When was the last time you got off the sedentary bike and hit the pavement? Dr. Jordan Metzl, a sports medicine physician at New York’s Hospital for Special Surgery, told Wall Street Journal: “Trying something new that shakes up your routine can give you a fresh perspective and get you excited.”
Does positive thinking work? Whether trying to maintain sobriety or escape the dangers of domestic violence, surrounding yourself with positive thinking influences is essential for lasting success in life. Ultimately, a lot of positive thinking has to do with the people you surround yourself with. This doesn’t mean that you can only spend time with “perfect” people. Instead, it means that you should surround yourself with happy individuals who motivate you to become better and to believe in the importance of positivity. They are actively cheering you on in your efforts to maintain sobriety. Positive people aren’t necessarily happy all the time—but they are always trying to have a positive influence on your life. It doesn’t matter whether these individuals are family members or coworkers. They genuinely have your best interests at heart and want you to accomplish your goals. Staying focused on your end goals becomes more accessible when you surround yourself with positive influences. You’ll feel better about yourself. You’ll feel energized and motivated when you spend time with these people. You won’t be as stressed out.
All too often, we let the fear of the unknown stop us. But pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones is good for us. Trying new things helps us conquer those fears, but it also allows us to expand our minds and learn about said new things about ourselves.
And then there’s the rush. There’s nothing quite like—or as memorable as—the thrill of a new experience. As reported by TIME in speaking with psychologist Rich Walker, who looked at countless event memories: “People who engage in various experiences are more likely to retain positive emotions and minimize negative ones than people who have fewer experiences.”
For years I didn’t push for more and focused on doing the bare minimum. But seeing people my age becoming successful and passionate about their future helped me realize that there’s so much we can do. You’ll learn more about yourself when you push yourself to start, even if it makes you uncomfortable. Many teens are afraid to do new things because of the outcome, but it’s worth that awkward stage to discover a new passion. When I tried a sport I was always scared to play not because of the pain or injuries but if I would make mistakes or be as good as my teammates. Was I good enough to be here? It took me a while to get it down but I put in the work and was able to become successful even through my self doubt.
Whether starting a new sport or volunteering for your community, it’s essential to expand your horizon and always seek something new. As said by Steve Jobs, “Learn continually – there’s always ‘one more thing’ to learn.” Learning from the mistakes of these new experiences is a special feeling that nothing else can replicate. All it takes is courage and dedication. Pushing yourself out of your usual boundaries can benefit your personal growth and development. By regularly putting yourself out there and making yourself more vulnerable, you can build upon your resilience and embrace the unknown.
When we are out of our comfort zones, we learn to adapt and can feel better prepared to take on new challenges that we previously may not have felt confident doing. In addition, it can teach us to explore new things and be creative in approaching the ‘unknown.
Starting it may seem complicated, and you may be lost on where to start. Asking for help with these new things is always encouraged. Nobody is perfect when it comes to something you’ve had little to no experience in. Never be scared to ask questions from peers because we all start from somewhere, and it’s up to you to use their information. Being curious allows you to open yourself to the insights and opinions of others, broadening your perspective on topics and life. This helped me learn more about my passions in engineering because I was able to ask about what I was interested in. This applies to anything to want to advance in. Curiosity can help you learn the most about things you want to try.
Surround yourself with people that will motivate you to even greater heights. As a teen, I know that motivation can be hard to have. School and personal lives leave you stressed and tired. That’s why you should be with people who are just as passionate as you are. People that value your input and want you to express yourself. You may be asking yourself, where to even find new activities to do? Spotivity is a great app to help with those questions. Spotivity allows teens to start activities they’re interested in even if they’ve never tried. Using their forums, you may run into something new. They offer numerous ways to start finding what you truly love, from after school programs to jobs and volunteering. Spotivity has something for everyone.
About Spotivity
Be #neverbored again by using the spotivity app and find activities that fit your needs. We help you find programing that can lead to your passion. Whether that is an art program to practice graffiti, a sports program to engage in competition, an education support class to improve your grades, or just finding someone to talk to – spotivity has your back. Backed by research and continually informed by users, spotivity is the tool to help you unlock your world and expand the list of options you can take advantage of.
