Friday Playdate » Blog Archive » life list: out of my comfort zone

I ran to J. Crew this weekend to return some things (remind me to tell you later about how to make J. Crew’s free shipping deals work for you, because I have a strategy!) and while I was there I looked at this dress. It’s beautiful, and on sale, and machine washable, and they had it in my size. But I didn’t try it on, because strapless is a bad look for me.

J. Crew Ginny dress, $148 currently $79.99

I did, however, try on a one-shouldered dress in a crazy shade of Barbie pink that I would never, ever wear (it was shimmery, you all) and I was impressed by how not-horrible that one-shouldered look was on me, because it’s totally not me, whatever that means.

Despite that, though, I walked away from the other dress, the strapless one, which I really liked, because … well, I don’t really know why.

Except that I do.

I’ve written before about my inability to put together a complete life list; I’ve attributed it to the format (lists don’t work for me! I’m a single-project girl!) but that’s only half true. My real dilemma is that I really like my comfort zone, and anything that falls outside of that makes me nervous.

Including the strapless dress.

If you’re going to do the life list right, it needs to consist of things that challenge the status quo — and push you outside that comfort zone. And by you I mean me, of course, although I suspect I’m not the only one who likes things just the way they are.

I’m not resistant to change, necessarily; I like to try new things, as long as they fall within my existing comfort zone. I know that some of you won’t get that at all, and some of you will absolutely understand what I mean.

Here’s an example: I finished the Couch to 5K program this week, which means that I’m able now to run for 30 minutes without stopping or dying. I’m also running a sub-ten-minute mile, which is a good start. Next up on my list is to run an actual 5K race, and then to run a 5K in under 30 minutes. I can do both of those things. Easily.

But today, when I started reading up on half marathon training programs (because the next thing on my list is to train for a half marathon) I nearly had a stroke, because OMG HOW WILL I EVER RUN THAT FAR? Especially since I only have seven months to train!!!

See what I mean?

I think that, for me, the life list really does need to be about pushing the boundaries; I need to get better at stepping outside my carefully crafted routine. But I need to do it one wee step at a time. I’m not going to spontaneously go parasailing, for example (oh hell no), but I certainly can work my way up to running a marathon. It’s just going to take a while.

And a lot of baby steps.

In the meantime, I can’t stop thinking about that dress, and about how I wish I had taken the time to try it on. Henry has camp tomorrow, but Charlie and I are going to have a coffee date in the morning; I wonder if I can persuade him to stop at J. Crew with me and wait while I push my boundaries a little bit? I’ll be that if we follow that up with a visit to the LEGO store, the answer will be yes.

Because maybe I can wear a strapless dress after all. Although I might layer it under a cardigan to start.

13 Comments so far

You have to go try it on. It would look great on you! And layering with a cardi is perfect. I do know what you mean in the larger big picture sense though. Yes…baby steps!

Do it! I was looking for a dress for a nice dinner party last month at Ann Taylor Loft. I ran across a strapless dress and thought…nah, I can’t do strapless (small chested, among other things). But I decided to try it on anyway and I loved it! I felt great at the party and was so happy I tried something different.

This is such a funny post for me. I have two pieces of clothing that I distinctly remember NOT buying. One was at least 8 years ago at Express; a purple one-shouldered shirt. The other a pair of silver/gray cords from Old Navy was about 4 years ago. And I still remember them. Go back and buy the dress. You’ll regret the things you don’t do more than the things you do. Even if it is just a dress.

I say go for the strapless…with a cardigan at first…just until you get comfortable with it. Going strapless is definitely an adjustment because I feel so bare. But I know you can do it, just like I know I can create a works-for-me, boundary-pushing life list because I’m inspired.

I’m fairly certain that a strapless dress would make your neck look long, lean and gorgeous. Haul your buns back to J. Crew and try it on. And post some pictures of you doing it!

Looking forward to seeing you in it.

Just bringing my boys to J. Crew is out of my comfort zone. And theirs! You definitely need the Lego bribe.

Go try it on and BUY it. You will make it work.

How funny that you posted about training b/c I wrote about my training today http://elzabelz.blogspot.com/2010/06/things-ive-learned-about-runningso-far.html
I started off NOT running-like at all, and now I’m ready for my half. Actually looking forward to it. No sub 7s, but you know, not dying either!

I dare you to just try it on….this comes from someone who will probably never wear a strapless dress! I’m just not a strapless kind of gal (too bare, too revealing, just too naked for me) so I can feel your apprehension. But I agree with some prior comments that you will regret if you don’t at least give it a try. And yes, post some pictures! I’m sure it will look great!

Get the dress! I’ve been surfing the web for additional summer dresses. I like the simplicity of the Jcrew dress.

Running? Literally one step at a time. Take it easy on yourself and do daily goals. When you look at the whole thing at once it IS overwhelming! You’ll do just fine. Can’t wait to read more about your running!

Get thee to JCrew! Stat! I don’t believe in “I can’t wear that.” I think the key to anything in fashion is fit and proportion. Some of my favorite items are pieces that I tried, thinking I really didn’t like it on the hanger or that it wouldn’t look good on me.

Like my wedding dress, come to think of it.

Like you, I’m working my way through the Couch to 5K. I’m at week 4, and I have my sights set on the Midnight Streak in August (fundraiser for City Arts Center). I’m seriously wondering if I’ll even be able to do it, but so far I’m amazed at how the program has taken me (a total non-runner) further than I even expected. AND I LIKE DOING IT - that’s the shocking part!

So keep on keepin’ on - a girlfriend of mine and her cousin are training and are setting a goal of running a half marathon in Seattle. Now that’s a good goal - an amazing race in a fab destination!

Add a crazy big necklace and you will never miss the straps!
I bet your husband would love it for date night.

Did you see the Bloggess’s red dress post? I think you need a strapless dress post! ( http://thebloggess.com/?p=7069 )

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