The Year of Living Uncomfortably
It started with a vanilla smoothie.
K and I had walked around Downtown Culver City. We were thirsty. M Chaya Cafe was across the street. We were desperate.
We sat at a table outside. The smoothie tasted like rice drink from Trader Joe's. "Isn't this a vegan place?" I asked K.
"It's not vegan. It's organic. See, they have fish on their menu." She paused. "So you're thinking about going to a vegan place?? There's a nice place in El Segundo. Veggie Grill. We should go!"
I looked at her like she just spit in my smoothie. "Umm..."
"You know, it's not so bad. They have carne asada. But they use veggie-steak instead of the real thing. It's much better then you'd think it would be..." As K went on about fake meat, I realized that she may be on to something.
I avoid uncomfortable situations. I eat the foods I know I like. I isolate myself at home, hide behind a book, troll Facebook 198214124 times. I play Bejeweled Blitz for hours on end. My life has become, dare I say it, mundane.
Something needs to change, I thought. Either things remain as they are and I spend this year feeling comfortable. Or I do things that are completely not what I'm used to. Just give it a shot and see what happens.
"OK. I'll go." My stomach twisted as I said this.
"Seriously?" K replied.
"Yes. I. Will. Eat. Veggie. Meat." My eyes welled with tears.
And there, at M Chaya, I made a commitment for 2010. This would be the year of living uncomfortably.
K and I spent the next half-hour listing as many uncomfortable situations as we could. We came up with some doozies. After compiling the list, I pledged to do as many items on the list as I can in the next year.
The list will certainly grow over time. I have no ground rules. I don't win a prize on 1/1/2011. I'm just gonna do them. And write about my experiences.
I'm not thrilled. I'm scared crapless. But for the first time in months, I'm INSPIRED.
And now a question. What makes you uncomfortable? Public speaking? Dating? Eating vegan food? I'd like to know. Your replies may inspire me. Or something. I'm just curious.
K and I had walked around Downtown Culver City. We were thirsty. M Chaya Cafe was across the street. We were desperate.
We sat at a table outside. The smoothie tasted like rice drink from Trader Joe's. "Isn't this a vegan place?" I asked K.
"It's not vegan. It's organic. See, they have fish on their menu." She paused. "So you're thinking about going to a vegan place?? There's a nice place in El Segundo. Veggie Grill. We should go!"
I looked at her like she just spit in my smoothie. "Umm..."
"You know, it's not so bad. They have carne asada. But they use veggie-steak instead of the real thing. It's much better then you'd think it would be..." As K went on about fake meat, I realized that she may be on to something.
I avoid uncomfortable situations. I eat the foods I know I like. I isolate myself at home, hide behind a book, troll Facebook 198214124 times. I play Bejeweled Blitz for hours on end. My life has become, dare I say it, mundane.
Something needs to change, I thought. Either things remain as they are and I spend this year feeling comfortable. Or I do things that are completely not what I'm used to. Just give it a shot and see what happens.
"OK. I'll go." My stomach twisted as I said this.
"Seriously?" K replied.
"Yes. I. Will. Eat. Veggie. Meat." My eyes welled with tears.
And there, at M Chaya, I made a commitment for 2010. This would be the year of living uncomfortably.
K and I spent the next half-hour listing as many uncomfortable situations as we could. We came up with some doozies. After compiling the list, I pledged to do as many items on the list as I can in the next year.
The list will certainly grow over time. I have no ground rules. I don't win a prize on 1/1/2011. I'm just gonna do them. And write about my experiences.
I'm not thrilled. I'm scared crapless. But for the first time in months, I'm INSPIRED.
And now a question. What makes you uncomfortable? Public speaking? Dating? Eating vegan food? I'd like to know. Your replies may inspire me. Or something. I'm just curious.
posted by Unknown at 11:44 PM
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