I hate change and surprises. I am completely a “Type-A” person; I make lists (preferably color-coded and in Excel), research everything, and plan/organize in advance, all the while unable to fathom why the people around me don’t do the same. Throw something at me at the last minute and I will freak out (definition of freak out: sigh, move around at dizzying speeds, sigh, slam drawers, sigh, ask rhetorical questions, and sigh some more).
Today, while trying not to cry as I chopped the strongest onion in the world, I heard a cereal commercial playing in the background. “Try something new” was the mantra, repeated over and over by people of varying ages and backgrounds. “Try something new.”
Easier said than done if you’re this curly-headed perfectionist!
I can’t even remember the last time I tried something new — I doubt anyone in my family could remember such a time in my life. I never try new foods at restaurants; I know what I like and I’m not going to chance being disappointed. I reread favorite books over and over; it doesn’t matter that I already know the outcome of the plot. I just glanced at my bookshelf and there are at least 15 unread books glaring at me, spines uncreased and jackets collecting dust. Embarrassing sight for a former English teacher.
“Try something new.”
As I threw the pungent onion into my crock pot, I wondered what new thing I would try if I were a “fly by the seat of my pants” gal. Sky-diving is out of the question, much to the chagrin of my husband, thanks to a horribly strong fear of heights. Scuba diving is also out of the question, again to my husband’s disappointment, thanks to intense claustrophobia.
“Hmmm — so nothing that involves diving.”
“Try something new.”
I was lost. I had absolutely no idea of what I would do, could do, should do. “Wait — ‘should’ do? When did my brain go from would to should? I’m not committing to anything here!” My hand firmly placed the glass lid on the crock-plot. Case closed and sealed.
“Try something new. Try something new. Try something new. . . new . . . new. . .new.”
I swear that I was momentarily stuck in the Twilight Zone. The commercial replayed several times — the young and old voices swimming in my brain, all chanting that annoying catch phrase.
Ok, so if I did try something new, and I’m not saying I will, what would I try? I could employ What About Bob‘s method of baby steps, starting my adventurer’s pilgrimage with the reading of a few dusty books. But, is that really trying something new?
The thought of googling “how to try something new” ran through my brain, but I’m afraid of what would pop up with that query.
I don’t know what I would try, but I’m at least committed to finding something new. Simply “finding” something new doesn’t require action — it’s just research, and I’ve already declared my affinity for that. Whether or not I actually try out the new things I uncover remains to be seen.
