My friend Liz texted me this weekend with a quote from a book she’s reading: “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”
This couldn’t come at a better time, because I spent half the day having a mild panic attack. I made a very large purchase. An investment is more what I like to call it.
It arrived around 11am, but I couldn’t bring myself to open it until about 7pm.
I bought a new camera. You’re probably thinking… are you nuts? I’d be so excited. I am! But I’m also slightly scared out of my mind, because not only am I terrified of spending money but I bought this camera with a purpose. To try something new and pursue something different. I’m going to be vague and all sorts of mysterious until I get my act together. But what it comes down to is that I need to be fearless, because I have no reason to be afraid.
I realize that to many people I might seem like a risk-taker. I’m perfectly fine with traveling across the world on my own. I’m not scared of getting lost or trying new things. I love walking around foreign cities on my own. But everything I do, I do because I know I’ll be good at it.
I know what I’m good at, and I hate being bad at things. So sometimes I stay in the safe zone.
The best comparison I can draw is roasted chicken. Like this roasted chicken dinner that I shot with my old Canon Rebel Xsi
Roasted chicken is safe and simple. We know it’ll taste good with minimal prep work required. All you need is olive oil, salt, pepper, chicken, onion, tomato and summer squash, put it in the oven at 425F for 45-60 minutes.
The oven does the work for you. It’s quick, easy and safe. Roasted chicken is one of those things I know I make well. 
But for now, I’m working on being fearless. No more roasted chicken for a while. I’m lucky enough to be in a position to try new things and invest in things I want to accomplish. I shouldn’t let fear get in the way, because fear only makes matters worse.
So I pose that question again to myself, and to you: what would you do if you weren’t afraid?
Foodologie 
I hear you on the camera thing – even though mine isn’t as hardcore, it was still a big step! I’m still learning how to use the thing.
If I had no fear I’d skydive…maybe I will one day!
You can totally skydive! Get it guuuuurl
Wooohoo! Exciting!
I have a few ideas in the back of my mind if I wasn’t fearless…but one of them that I’ve already accomplished was leaving everything (jobs, friends, family) and moving to LA! (Which was a GREAT decision so maybe I should continue making them….)
That is an awesome accomplishment! I moved to the middle of nowhere New York for 2 years and it was awesome. Big life changes are always a good thing. We should totally continuing making awesome, seemingly-nutty decisions!