Bold AF moves make for better life stories — and who wants to live a boring existence? It sounds crazy, but doing the things that scare you the most will also be the most rewarding. Fear is never going away — embrace that crap or sucker punch it in the face, but don’t let it hold you back. Here’s how:
- Commit to something that scares the hell out of you. What have you always wanted to do but have been too afraid to try? Whatever just popped into your mind, that’s the thing you need to commit to trying. Maybe it’s as crazy as propelling your body forward for 26.2 miles. Maybe it’s asking your BF for cuckolding or living out your girlhood dream of morphing into a mermaid. Hey, no judgment here. Commit to doing the thing that scares you to hell. I promise you that magic will happen when you’re way the past your comfort zone.
- Cut people out who don’t support you — and yes, that includes family. Making bold AF moves requires chutzpah and a solid support system. If someone doesn’t support you, cut them out of your life. Just move on. Ghost them if you have to. I don’t care if this person is your childhood BFF, your college sweetheart or your mother. Life is hard enough, and you don’t need naysayers and asshats bringing you down. This brings me to my next point…
- Set some damn boundaries and stick to them. If you can’t (or won’t) cut out an unsupportive naysayer, then set clear boundaries and don’t let anyone cross them. You have a right to respect and love, and you deserve to feel supported. Boundaries are not about ultimatums, they’re about being clear on how you expect to be treated.
- Stop saying yes when you want to say no. If you don’t want to do something, don’t do it. You have no duty to play the “Don’t Say Baby!” game. You don’t have to help your frenemy move or go to a party you don’t want to attend just because you think whoever’s throwing it might hate you if you don’t show up. Stop trying to please everyone. Your life will be so much better when you’re not overcommitted and stuck doing stuff you don’t want to do.
- Stop playing coy and go after guys who catch your eye. Playing coy is an outdated and irritating way to flirt. Don’t ever employ this method again. Bust out your best swagger and go land yourself a date with Mr. Sexy AF.
- Jump out of a perfectly good airplane. Plummeting to the Earth at terminal velocity? Seems legit. Skydiving might be the most terrifying — and badass — thing you’ll ever do. I promise the terror is worth it. This adrenaline rush is the best natural high in the world.
- Performance anxiety? Overcome your stage fright — literally. Go ahead and belt out your shower-rendition of “Me and Bobby McGee” at Karaoke night! Can’t sing? Perfect — then take those ballroom dance classes your 12-year-old self would swoon over. Then you can foxtrot your way through an adult dance recital! Yes, that is a thing.
- Totally alter your appearance. One weekend, I went from a bottle-blonde blunt cut to a jet-black pixie cut in the back, comb over bangs in the front. The 180 was really freeing. Bleach your tresses to find out what the blondes and fun fuss is all about. If you’re not into scalp blisters, try going dark, penny red, or add some purple streaks.
- Find the strength in vulnerability. We’ve spent years building our fortresses to keep the feels out. We’re safe tucked behind these walls, but we’re also hidden. The bold AF move is to let yourself be seen, to be vulnerable and connect with another human being.
- Stop giving a f*ck what other people think. People are going to judge regardless, so do what you want and be who you are. Advance with reckless abandon. Go all-in. Make the bold AF moves, let your inner-bold AF woman shine.
