An exceptional quote to live by is: “Great things never came from comfort zones.” I remember the first time I read it. I was enrolled at the University of North Carolina and in the midst of trying to figure out what life was going to look like after grad school. With many factors in play, this quote helped me build up the courage to move across the country—from Florida to Arizona. And then, one and a half years later, as I sat on a flight from Naples, Italy to Barcelona, Spain, wracking my brain for unique and fitting 2017 New Years resolutions, this quote buzzed back into my mind. It is probably safe to say I have now become obsessed with the concept of “stepping out of my comfort zone”—Mainly because it has led to so many experiences. It has led to some incredible ones, and it has also led to some sticky ones. But the beauty of it all was the fact that even if my resolutions didn’t go as I had planned or dreamed or hoped, at least given them a fair and true shot, was sure to lead to some of the greatest adventures ever. |
So that’s what 2017 was all about: stepping out and adding something to my life that I would not normally think to add. Each month presented itself with a different challenge—something that made me uncomfortable or made me think in a way or do something that was out of the norm or out of my routine…
In January, I CREATED SOMETHING. I love to create things – painting, drawing, photographing, collaging… And since starting a “real job,” I’ve put my creativity on the backburner. So this was an excellent opportunity to jump back in. I created many things in January, but the one project I invested the most time into was what I call a “visual picture map.” What I did was bought a giant map of the U.S. States and taped it to my wall—then, for each state I’ve been to, I’ve filled that state’s shape with a photo of me doing something there. The map is currently hanging in my living room and I’ve continually added to it throughout this year—reminding me of all the amazing places I have experienced and seen.
In January, I CREATED SOMETHING. I love to create things – painting, drawing, photographing, collaging… And since starting a “real job,” I’ve put my creativity on the backburner. So this was an excellent opportunity to jump back in. I created many things in January, but the one project I invested the most time into was what I call a “visual picture map.” What I did was bought a giant map of the U.S. States and taped it to my wall—then, for each state I’ve been to, I’ve filled that state’s shape with a photo of me doing something there. The map is currently hanging in my living room and I’ve continually added to it throughout this year—reminding me of all the amazing places I have experienced and seen.
In February, I pledged to ROADTRIP to somewhere new. So, I ventured to Flagstaff, AZ, where I competed in a collegiate level 800m race… something I have not done in four years. In March, it was my goal to RECONNECT WITH FAMILY. I reached out to my cousin Amie in Germany, the uncles on my dad’s side, and the aunts on my mom’s side. I remember calling my Uncle Will on his birthday (March 31). I heard his voice—while he sounded a bit older and grayer, he was also full of joy that I had called. |
In April, I practiced BEING COURAGEOUS. And damn, was April TOUGH. During this month, I had a very difficult conversation with my track coach. I could have ended my track season or even could have switched to training for an event other than the 800. But my heart told me to fight for that event. Had it not been for this courageous fight, I would have never run 2:16 in California. It’s insanely hard to be courageous, but boy does it produce results! In May, I EXPANDED MY VOCABULARY with dictionary.com’s word of the day. I can now tell you what the word floriferous means J In June, I READ A NEW BOOK. And if you know me, you know my ability to sit still for more than 5 minutes is nearly impossible. While tiny and only 107 pages, I read “In the Name of Jesus” by Henri Nouwen… TWICE. Let me repeat that… TWICE! A small book packed with BIG lessons and deep discussions. I highly recommend! |
In July, I SAID YES TO EVERYTHING. This one can be frightening at first glance, but when applied appropriately, it led to some pretty cool experiences, including drinks in a fireside art museum in Denver, a gymnastics tumbling class where I re-found my love for flexibility, and a hike up Camelback mountain in the early morning July heat of AZ. It involved travel to Montreal (one of my now favorite cities I’ve ever visited!). And it also led to me saying YES to tri training after being plagued with my third stress fracture. Had it not been for this last YES, my life the past six months would have looked vastly different. If I ever do this one again, however, I need to be more careful about money spending. I spent more money during the month of July than any other month, and it essentially drained my bank account. Lessons learned (that line was for you, mom).
In August, my job was to MEET SOMEONE NEW. And not just a hi-how-are-you kind of a meet, but like an I’m-going-to-build-a-friendship with you and hang-with-you-on-the-weekends type of friend. To do this, I started allowing myself to re-visit the online dating scene and forced myself to step out of my comfort zone and start conversations at concerts. I can’t say I met a friend in August, but by December, I had a plethora of new friends added to my contacts (Alex, Dee, Robby, Kellen, Nick, Rosie, Manon, Austin, and Tay!!!). The friendships are still continuing, but like anything, they take work to grow and to continue.
September was about taking a servant mindset and VOLUNTEERING. My goal was to get back with the Feed My Starving Children organization (which is absolutely amazing), but sadly, it did not happen. Instead, my servitude fell with my school and our cross-country team. Serving your school? You ask. Yes. When you have to deal with 115 4th-8th graders every afternoon for two months, it is service. Hands down. And boy did I LEARN from those kids!
In October, I did something that SCARED ME. I really had to think about this one, and even brainstormed with my Phoenix friend Katie. We came to the conclusion that I needed to start the process of re-vamping my resume and beginning the job search again…. Which for me is an extremely terrifying process. This involves acknowledging that your life will be unknown come June when the school year is over. And, wow, do I HATE the unknown. Starting the job process means putting yourself out there with the chance and possibility of being rejected… of not being wanted by an employer or by a company. At least for me, it’s scary. But since October, I’ve revamped my resume, wrote many cover letters, and am now starting the official hunt. Katie dared me to make some cold calls to some people during fall break, but I wasn’t ready for that yet!
In November, I CHANGED MY APPEARANCE. Back in January, my original goal for this month was to dye my hair. But when I switched hairdressers and learned that dying your hair is extremely damaging (especially if you want it to grow), I decided I would make a different change. So, I STOPPED wearing my hair extensions daily (which was super hard, because I love them!), resorting back to my complete and natural look. I also got two additional ear piercings, so that counts too! December led me to VISIT A NEW CITY. The city? Palm Springs, CA, where I competed in the HITS Triathlon Championship and ended up qualifying for USA Nationals! Like I said… traveling—regardless to where—has never disappointed. |
2017 was an incredible year. Each month, I was challenged to add something into my life… to step out of my comfort zone… to explore new things, to meet new people, and to be comfortable with the uncomfortable.
So… we are days away from 2018. What does this mean? Do I do it again? Do I add on to the 2017 monthly goals? Do I continue improving, exploring, doing? Or do I switch to something totally different?
Contemplating this and praying often, I’ve decided that while 2017 was the year of addition, 2018 will be the year of subtraction. Fasting. Taking away. While you learn something about yourself by adding in more, you can also learn so much more by taking things away. So, without further ado, I present you with my 2018 New Years Resolutions: The Year of Fasting:
So… we are days away from 2018. What does this mean? Do I do it again? Do I add on to the 2017 monthly goals? Do I continue improving, exploring, doing? Or do I switch to something totally different?
Contemplating this and praying often, I’ve decided that while 2017 was the year of addition, 2018 will be the year of subtraction. Fasting. Taking away. While you learn something about yourself by adding in more, you can also learn so much more by taking things away. So, without further ado, I present you with my 2018 New Years Resolutions: The Year of Fasting:
January: Social Media
I am most nervous, but also most excited for this one, which is why I put it first. Social Media has been a blessing to be able to stay in touch with close family and friends, but it has also been a huge pitfall—leading me to constant comparison, and constantly feeling like I need to “up” the person I was yesterday. Removing EVERY SINGLE social media outlet and replacing that time with prayer, meditation, and reflection, is something I feel my soul is desperately craving.
February: Negativity
I realized that work has sucked the positivity out of my life. I think back to two years ago and walking into school with a smile and hopes for the day. Now, smiling has become so much more difficult and its tough to see the light when so many people are focusing on the dark. I want to get that light back – and I know this will mean starting each day out with Bible Study – and using that periodically throughout the day to get me through and to help others see the goodness in each day.
March: Alcohol
I chose this month to fast from alcohol because it falls over lent. While I do not abuse alcohol, there are times I use it to numb feelings or forget emotional pain I’m experiencing.
April: Eating out
This is mainly a monetary goal. I want to use the money I would use to eat out or get ice cream or whatever to go to my church and my church’s partnership with Colombia.
May: Unnecessary / Inappropriate Language
There really is no need for cussing. Let’s go a full month with positive words, phrases, and vibes.
June: The Car Radio
I want to start driving in silence—to use my drives (whether they’re to Cali or to the store up the street) to pray and talk to God. It’s easy to get lost in music. I’d rather find myself with my Father.
July: Mindless / Materialistic Shopping
(see May’s explanation)
August: Starbucks
I am handsdown gluttonous when it comes to Starbucks. I go on average 2-3 times per week. So not necessary! Let’s see if I can fill that drive time and use that money for something more useful.
September: Competing
Sometimes, I find my worth in my times or places in a triathlon race. In August, I’ll have just finished Nationals in Cleveland, so this will be a great time to find who I am outside of being an athlete. I still plan to train, but will be taking competing out of the picture for these four weeks
October: Out-of-Town traveling
This is going to be HARD. But I am very convinced that while you gain experience from traveling, you can gain experience by staying. We’ll see what this reflection will look like… I’m definitely curious.
November: Makeup
I’m not going to completely eradicate makeup, but I do want to take up a more natural look. More importantly, instead of being so obsessed with how I look on the outside, I want to work on focusing more on who I am on the inside.
December: Concerts
I love concerts. I love them SO much. But like Starbucks, I’m gluttonous with them. I want to use that money and that time for something bigger than myself.
I am most nervous, but also most excited for this one, which is why I put it first. Social Media has been a blessing to be able to stay in touch with close family and friends, but it has also been a huge pitfall—leading me to constant comparison, and constantly feeling like I need to “up” the person I was yesterday. Removing EVERY SINGLE social media outlet and replacing that time with prayer, meditation, and reflection, is something I feel my soul is desperately craving.
February: Negativity
I realized that work has sucked the positivity out of my life. I think back to two years ago and walking into school with a smile and hopes for the day. Now, smiling has become so much more difficult and its tough to see the light when so many people are focusing on the dark. I want to get that light back – and I know this will mean starting each day out with Bible Study – and using that periodically throughout the day to get me through and to help others see the goodness in each day.
March: Alcohol
I chose this month to fast from alcohol because it falls over lent. While I do not abuse alcohol, there are times I use it to numb feelings or forget emotional pain I’m experiencing.
April: Eating out
This is mainly a monetary goal. I want to use the money I would use to eat out or get ice cream or whatever to go to my church and my church’s partnership with Colombia.
May: Unnecessary / Inappropriate Language
There really is no need for cussing. Let’s go a full month with positive words, phrases, and vibes.
June: The Car Radio
I want to start driving in silence—to use my drives (whether they’re to Cali or to the store up the street) to pray and talk to God. It’s easy to get lost in music. I’d rather find myself with my Father.
July: Mindless / Materialistic Shopping
(see May’s explanation)
August: Starbucks
I am handsdown gluttonous when it comes to Starbucks. I go on average 2-3 times per week. So not necessary! Let’s see if I can fill that drive time and use that money for something more useful.
September: Competing
Sometimes, I find my worth in my times or places in a triathlon race. In August, I’ll have just finished Nationals in Cleveland, so this will be a great time to find who I am outside of being an athlete. I still plan to train, but will be taking competing out of the picture for these four weeks
October: Out-of-Town traveling
This is going to be HARD. But I am very convinced that while you gain experience from traveling, you can gain experience by staying. We’ll see what this reflection will look like… I’m definitely curious.
November: Makeup
I’m not going to completely eradicate makeup, but I do want to take up a more natural look. More importantly, instead of being so obsessed with how I look on the outside, I want to work on focusing more on who I am on the inside.
December: Concerts
I love concerts. I love them SO much. But like Starbucks, I’m gluttonous with them. I want to use that money and that time for something bigger than myself.
It is my goal to write a reflection at the end of each month on what I learned by taking something away. How I grew, what found out about myself, and what to do with that moving forward. So when I answer “What is your favorite holiday” with “New Years”… you now know why. Goals. Direction. Challenges. Opportunity. Reflection. Growth. 2018… You’re going to be a challenge… but bring it on! -Iz Davis |