Speaking at my beloved step dad’s funeral on January 6th, 2023, was an experience that would change the course of my year. I was terrified yet determined to express my feelings in front of a hundred people, many strangers, in the beautiful chapel at St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill. And while my fear was surely evident, I managed to deliver my speech eloquently and that day, I truly knew that I could do hard things…and do them well. I made a resolution to embark on a journey of fearlessness – a year dedicated to stepping out of my comfort zone, facing challenges head-on, and embracing opportunities with open arms. My word for 2023 became FEARLESS!
Whether it was public speaking, trying a new hobby (hello drums!), or confronting personal insecurities (that’s a longer story), I learned that true growth lies on the other side of fear. Each triumph, no matter how small, contributed to a growing sense of confidence and resilience. My fear of heights seems to be worsening with every passing year. Even though I have skydived, bungee jumped and parasailed, the fear persists. So when our family traveled to Cape Town, of course, we booked a helicopter ride and paraglided off a mountain! It was glorious and nausea inducing but I survived and loved it. And I did it with Dan and the boys, even better.
In the professional realm, 2023 was a year of milestones. Never did I believe I would be a yoga studio owner, yet The Yoga Deck studio opened in May and it’s been the joyful space I had daydreamed about. I have met so many lovely new people and welcomed them to the fun of yoga. I am hopeful that the New Year will bring new teachers and events to further utilize the studio, creating a hub of like minded individuals. And it looks like my dream of an international yoga retreat is in the works for 2024!! Stay tuned…
My year of fearlessness extended beyond professional boundaries. I invested time and energy in personal development and exploring new skills. A much anticipated journey back to Sth Africa added a layer of richness and wanderlust to my life, and those memories are priceless.
A surprising outcome of my fearless journey was the deepening of connections with treasured friends, family, and even new acquaintances. By openly sharing vulnerabilities, dreams, and aspirations, I discovered that being fearless wasn’t just an individual endeavor but key for building genuine relationships.
Of course, the journey wasn’t without its share of setbacks. Being fearless doesn’t mean avoiding failure; rather, it’s about learning from it – hello mindset shift! Each setback became a lesson, fueling a resilient spirit and a commitment to keep moving forward. Traveling Africa with a nasty eye infection proved a challenge. As well as the eyelid operation I needed upon returning home…given my deep seated phobia of anything to do with my eyes (I learned this is called ommetaphobia). Boy did I need to be fearless that day, my stomach still turns at the thought.
As the year comes to a close, I find myself filled with gratitude for the myriad experiences that 2023 brought into my life. The year of being fearless has taught me that growth is a continuous process, and embracing discomfort is the key to unlocking one’s full potential. And just to show me that the universe has my back (and loves to throw a challenge my way), an opportunity appeared out of the blue – to teach yoga to 300 teenage boys…at St Joseph’s College! Talk about bookending my year with terrifying experiences, in the same location. Of course, I agreed, and loved almost every moment!
The year 2023 will forever be etched in my memory as the “Year of Being Fearless.” As I step into the next chapter, I do so with a fearless heart and a spirit ready to conquer whatever challenges lie ahead. Wish me luck, and keep me accountable – I really like this mindset!
