5 Things Being A Yes Person.

I have to admit that I’m a bit of a homebody, not that there’s anything wrong with that, as I do tend to prefer staying in on my lonesome (cat in one hand, pizza slice in the other). I came to realise that I should be jumping at more opportunities and saying yes a whole lot more…

I’m a month shy of my 24th birthday – some will think that sounds old, most will laugh at how young it is – but I guess I got to the point where I was thinking maybe I should be doing more with myself – after all, they do say ‘life begins at the end of your comfort zone’!

When I say ‘doing more’ I mean more adventurous activities, not just going out in town or seeing my friends (I should do these less haha), or at least doing more that is challenging in some way – with a story to tell. Working at home puts me in my own little bubble and it can be hard to truly escape the place, so I’ve made up my mind to start doing more – seeing places I’ve always wanted to see and just generally making more of the moment. So here’s a few pointers I’ve found have helped…

Just Do It
Is that the Nike slogan? Will I be sued? Anyway, one thing I’ve found that works for me is to act on impulse and do it before I have a chance to think things over. In the last month or so I have booked flights to Berlin, Iceland and New York, and tickets to see one of my all-time favourite bands, Foo Fighters!
I’m no stranger to travelling or seeing shows, but spending chunks of money like that have me a bit nervous! One thing I’ve found is that I’ve become quite materialistic in the last year, with most of my money going on buying things (mostly for our new flat) rather than experiences. I had to get out of this mindset that money handed over meant goods in my hand right then, so I just went for it and didn’t look back.

Be A Bit Selfish
I’m all for being selfish, as everyone says the years in your 20s are for thinking of yourself. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to do, why waste any more time thinking about it? Recently I’ve really wanted to get back in to running, and also learn to ski – luckily my boyfriend is a willing participant in all my mad ideas (bar the running so I go it alone), but I think you have to be vocal with your dreams. If you also have these grand schemes, I say go for it – either alone or ask a flatmate, brother or friend to come along for the ride. My brother had no one to go rockclimbing with a couple of years ago and found a like-minded person on Gumtree (truly), and they’re still good friends – having recently travelled New Zealand together. I’m not sure I could do that, but it made me laugh.

Plan Ahead
I find that my dreams often come at a high price (ahem, New York) so I’ve taken to booking things well in advance to lessen the blow. I’m a wizz at finding cheap flights, so I’m now making plans to see places I’ve never been to before, but I’ve had to also face my fear of planning in advance. I’m not sure why I don’t like this, it just makes me freak out a little! What if something comes up and I’m meant to be going away? Or, more likely, Jordan’s away on tour.
There’s no way to know but I guess I’ll just have to deal with anything that comes my way when it happens. Yay for a carefree attitude!

Challenge Yourself
I started to think recently that I didn’t really know my limits, because I rarely push myself. Little things like the skiing – what if I’m a champion on the slopes and I’ll never know? Hilarious. However unlikely that is, I do think I need to try harder with these things. Even just with everyday things like YouTube videos, meeting new people, promoting myself – could I be doing a better job? Almost certainly!
I mentioned a little while ago that I’ve started setting myself little challenges here and there, which is a great way to keep you motivated and on the right track. Even if it’s little things like ‘plan 2 new adventures’ or ‘learn a sentence in French’ – yep, another one of my big ideas. Learn French! I crack myself up.

Make a Bucket-List
Okay, a shortened, less dramatic version of a bucket-list – even just a mental note of things you want to complete in the next year. Making lists is just so calming and getting everything out on paper means you’ll feel more in control of things.
I have little things like learning to sew, staining the floorboards in our flat or just reorganising my office. Then bigger tasks like going to see all my family in New Zealand or writing a novel. It’s all worth doing, and one day I hope to have achieved them!

Life has been pretty good since I started saying yes more – even just to events like the MTV EMAs, old Kate would never have gone but new Kate loved the experience! I think you have to be impulsive yet have your head screwed on, and just go for it!

Have you got any tips for us homebodies?