Hi my lovely readers!

How has everyone been so far this year? I managed to go for a nice long walk today to quick start my digestive system once more after the holidays and get moving again.

When I came back I found another lovely writing prompt in my inbox for day 3 of the bloganuary challenge:

Write about the last time you left your comfort zone.

I was thinking hard about this prompt as I’m personally not too bothered leaving my comfort zone as I know most of the times it’s really good for me. I like trialing new activities and things, but of course there are situations that are more difficult than others.

I’ve I’m thinking about a travel related situation, one comes to mind straight away – taking the Insanity roller coaster on top of the Stratosphere tower in Las Vegas and facing my fear of heights.

I love roller coasters and thrill rides. I’ve been on so many in the US when I visited parks such as Six Flags over Texas, Cedar Point, Bush Gardens and the list goes one. When I was about 10 my parents and I visited Las Vegas and my Dad went on the coaster that goes around the top. I couldn’t join him as I was too small back then, I cried and cried, but I always thought to myself “One day I will come back and go on that roller coaster”.

So, in 2012 I went back to Las Vegas and of course bought a ticket to go to the top of the Stratosphere Tower to go on that roller coasters. The only problem was that the roller coaster my Dad went on years ago was no longer in service and the only once operating went over the edge of the tower, the new and more scary coaster additions.

I’m not sure why I’m scared of heights. I used to do diving and jumped into water from 10 m head first. But the older I got the less I liked heights. I start to feel sick and scared when I get to close to an edge on top of towers. In Malaysia I stayed in a hotel that had glass walls. I was staying on the 40th something floor and I would not approach the walls. I would stay in the middle of the room where I felt safe.

How could I go on that Insanity roller coaster (pic below) and fulfil my childhood dream? I was alone on top of that tower as my partner doesn’t do roller coasters. I had no moral support what so ever. I gave myself a pep talk, but that didn’t really work to be honest. I almost chickened out, it really was a split second decision to go on that ride, but I’m so happy I did.

What helped me in the end was to talk about it with a stranger that was queuing up in front of me waiting for his time to go on the ride. I literally told him that I wanted to go on that coaster, but was soo afraid. I mean if that ride breaks you’re dead. I’m no superhuman and can’t survive a 350m drop.

He was really encouraging, told me about his experience as he already went once on Insanity and how I would feel afterwards. I asked him if I could sit next to him not to be alone and he happily agreed.

I can’t lie, I’m not sure I enjoyed the ride that much as I had my eyes closed half of the ride and just kept on thinking “Omg, omg, omg, omg ….” Also, I got really scared at some point as I looked down and thought “I’ll be dead if that ride breaks” BUT, I did it. Thinking back it’s a great memory and I would have regret not going for the rest of my life. That’s also what went through my head while I had to decide to go on that crazy, scary and thrilling roller coaster or not.

My advice? Just talk about your fears and worries and leave your comfort zone. Every time I left mine it was a positive experience. And even if it’s not, you don’t have to do it again. Plus, ask yourself if you would regret not doing something or having that experience.

---

When was a time that you had to step out of your comfort zone?

Find me on Instagram @cruisetravel88