Dare yourself to step out of your comfort zone and watch the magic happen.

I was recently chatting with a client for her podcast (check it out!), and we talked all about dreams and how I left my comfortable TV job to become a digital nomad, traveling the world. I often think about when my life started shifting in a major way, but I honestly can’t really pinpoint one specific event.

It was a combination of things: joining a meditation group, a bad breakup, reading spiritual books, having lucid dreams, and regularly journaling. All of these things combined to help me ‘wake up’ to my reality – a reality in which I had been just a part of the rat race.

But I think my ‘big shift’ started even before those impactful experiences. I think the pivotal moment was when I dared myself to do something small but terrifying at the time: go to a movie alone.

This was about 10 years ago, and back then, I never did anything solo. I was scared to even eat lunch by myself! Then one day, while chatting with a producer at work, he casually mentioned that he goes to the movies alone all the time. I remember immediately judging him, thinking it was so ‘loser-ish.’ But now I realize that judgment was simply a reflection of my own fear. I didn’t have the courage or confidence to do it myself.

So I decided to dare myself to try.

I chose a movie, For Grace, which was playing at the Seattle Film Festival. I was so so sooo nervous! I brought a book to distract myself and picked a seat in the farthest corner to avoid being judged for being alone. And guess what? I loved it! It seems so silly now, thinking back to how afraid I was to step out of my comfort zone.

After that solo movie, I started daring myself to do even more: solo hikes, trips, dinners, and more. Eventually, this led me to move to Bali and travel the world – all from one small dare!

So, today’s magic trick is to dare yourself to do something you’ve been too scared to try. Remember, if you’re judging it, that’s usually just fear talking. It might be exactly what you need to try next!

Dare Ideas:

• Book that trip that’s been on your mind for years.
• Volunteer for a charity.
• Spend a day unplugged from any devices.
• Share an idea you’ve been holding back on with someone.
• Go to a restaurant in a cuisine you’ve never tried.
• Attend a seminar or workshop you’re curious about.
• Speak up where you are normally quiet.
• Wear an outfit that reflects your true style.
• Challenge a belief that you’ve held your whole life.
• Go to a movie alone. 😉

Naturally Empowered Living Podcast

It was such an honor to be on Jenna’s podcast – in our episode together, we talked all about DREAMS. Here are a few things we talked about:

• Understanding dreamwork and its connection to the subconscious mind.
• How to lucid dream.
• Techniques for remembering and interpreting your dreams.
• The power of nightmares.
• The parallels between dreamwork and meditation in accessing inner wisdom.

Click here to listen to the episode!

On a Personal Note…

Helloooooo!! Wow, it’s been a wild few weeks! Vietnam has officially entered rainy season, so we’ve been getting cozy at home. I’ve been drinking tea, watching Twilight, and listening to the Virgin River soundtrack. You know, Fall things.

Thankfully before the rain began, Ninh and I were honored to attend our friends’ Joanna and Gia’s wedding! Jo is my wonderful yoga teacher, so it was really special to celebrate her marriage along with our yogi friends. It was an unforgettable wedding at Gia’s family farm filled with lots of food, cheer, and KARAOKE. It was hilarious watching everyone get up on stage, singing at the top of their lungs! Since Gia’s village is so tiny, the locals were mesmerized seeing so many foreigners – they kept approaching all of us, wanting to talk, drink, and take photos with us. What an amazing experience!

Jo ends every yoga class with: “I wish you to be happy, to be healthy, and to be at peace.” I figure this is a beautiful way to end today’s Magic Monday. ✨

Sending love,
Andrea