Wanting Something Different: How I Crushed a Goal in 43 Days

I'm sitting at my desk.

My spine is straight, both feet are planted on the ground, and my fingers are excited to move.

(Wiggles fingers above keyboard)

Today was HOT, and the A/C unit hanging comfortably in my window is roaring an icy breeze. My hair is still wet from the shower, and I'm wearing nothing but a grin and an oversized t-shirt.

I am feeling beyond excited to share something with you that I recently did for myself. 

Let's jump right to it.

About 2 months ago, I was driving home from a baby shower and it was a b-e-a-utiful night. I had a lot on my mind (which usually gets me in trouble) so I decided to open the sunroof and turn up some Seger. As I look to my right, I pass a U-Haul Center, and quickly following was a Harley Davidson.

In a split second, I thought, "Are you crazy?" And not 2 seconds later I responded to myself, "Yep."

So I immediately hung a right and turned around.

You know in the movies when someone walks into a bar and they realize they're not supposed to be there or they're really out of place?

Well, as I reached the parking lot and got out of my car, I realized I was wearing a very feminine top, a beige cardigan from the GAP, and a brand new pair of white Keds. 

YA - definitely was feeling out of place.  

But I walked in anyway. 

Maybe it was my blonde hair, but as I got inside the 3 guys standing at the front lowered their chatter. I remember smiling and wanting to say "SH*T" quietly through my teeth, but I kept moving forward. When the first gentleman asked how he could help (obviously it looked like I needed help) I told him straight up, 

"Hi. I'm new at this (motions hand in a circle). I don't know how to ride any of these and I'm in need of something fun, so I'd like to buy a bike please." 

(Shakes her own head)

Fast forward to 21 days later. After sitting on a few frogs, and actually learning how to ride, we finally found the prince!

When they handed me the keys and I started 'er up, my daughter was definitely scared of the noise. And mommy was scared because she had butterflies in her tummy the size of bricks.

(Slowly sips water)

After a friend helped me get her home, she sat for several days until I was able to get my permit. 

MONDAY: 

June 1. After almost 5 hours of waiting in a virtual line (that's a whole different story to drink about), I got my permit. And this was also the day I had my first experience with a gas can. 

(Rolls eyes hard)

Never have I ever purchased a gas can, opened a gas can, filled a gas can, or used a gas can in my life. My fingers were almost bleeding as I worked to get it open. Sophia was in the car with me and she says, "Mommy's mad."  

Yes. I was a bit tense.

After we got it open, gas was everywhere it shouldn't be at the pump, and when we got home, gas was everywhere it shouldn't be around my bike. Silly me, as I read the directions on the label for the seven hundred and fifty-ninth time, I missed the part where you take off the little red cap before you fill. 

When I yelled, "FINALLY" out loud, my neighbor looked over and we exchanged comforting waves. 

Why didn't I just go to the gas station? That would involve going through a roundabout and being embarrassed to be seen by more than 5 people. 

(Wipes condensation off glass)

TUESDAY: 

I geared up - allllll the way up - and I felt like a huge dork. I sat on my bike for a good 15 minutes before I was brave enough to kick it out of neutral. Mind you, I have only ridden a bike by myself - twice - at this point. And that was on a professional course with two teachers and 7 other riders. 

So as I sat there alone in my driveway, wearing my helmet, goggles, jacket, jeans, boots, and gloves - I felt the size of a pea. I even made sure two of my neighbors were at work before I rode out.

(Covers eyes with hand)

Talking with my girlfriend, she told me before she lost 60 pounds and would go to the gym, she felt the exact same way. She said she would go during off-hours when nobody was there because she didn't want people to watch her workout. She was embarrassed and didn't want anyone to judge her for doing an exercise the wrong way.

We shared the exact same feelings doing two completely different things.

That day, I drove around in one big square around my neighborhood and barely made it to the church parking lot. 

It's like everything I learned in class went right out the window, and we only got to second gear. I also killed it 5 times. But we still managed to smile.

WEDNESDAY: 

We went a bit further that day and got her up to 42 mph. I made it all the way to the school parking lot, a full mile down the street. Things were looking up. 

FRIDAY: 

Rode up to my cousin's house and got up to 50 mph. They live about 2 miles away, but it felt like a trip up north. I also had no idea my cousin has a bike too. So cool.

SATURDAY: 

Got up to the actual speed limit, 55, and I don't think my smile could have been any bigger. I was literally screaming all the Whoo Hoo's and Hell Yeah's out loud to myself in my own little fishbowl. Even had to stop and take a break because I was out of breath from being so thrilled. Then, as I got back to it, I experienced a bug to the throat. 

"That was awesome." She says, dressed in sarcasm.

SUNDAY: 

I put on 15 layers of Valor and Stress Away and rode all the way to my sister's house. 24 miles round trip. Yep, I was stoked. I almost turned around as the wind was a-blowin'. My thoughts instantly went to, "Holy SH*T, I am going to be blown off the road." But then I randomly started shouting, "400 pounds cuttin' through the wind!" over and over and over. I actually Googled how much my bike weighs when I got back home.

489. 

I was close.

But once we made it to the lake, I was finally able to relax. I even lifted my arm to wave at the little kids playing with sticks on the side of the road. 

(Tilts head/smiles)

Goole defines goal as: the object of a person's ambition or effort; an aim or desired result. Synonyms: aim, objective, holy grail, intention, plan, purpose.

My purpose was to do something different - something fun. 

(Pauses for deep thought)

There are two sides to my personality. 

One side being a stiff, organized square who has deep-rooted perfectionist qualities that worries too much about the ingredients in her cereal. And the other side is a fun, laid-back, let's turn the music up and forget who we are kinda gal, who can take an idea and turn it into something incredible. 

So I mushed the sides together and did just that.

In 43 days, I visited 4 dealerships, took a New Riders Course, bought all the gear, learned how to ride, searched for a bike, bought a bike, had countless conversations with friends, and after 7 times of starting her up - I rode like a champ into the next town.

But in 43 days, do you know how many times I felt uncomfortable? Do you know how many times I felt out of place? Do you know how much positive self-talk I had to do to keep me moving forward?

A LOT!

But I was hungry for something different. I was so very hungry for something different. And to my surprise, it wasn't even organic and Non-GMO.

(Laughs quietly to self)

If you have a goal or have a deep desire to do something different, just do it. Go after it. Right now. If you're hungry, set a goal, and do everything you can do to crush it. 

I took a risk, and I'm so glad I did.

You know what they say, "The greater the risk, the greater the reward."

And trust me, this reward feels just like Sweet Caroline.

So good, so good.

If you found value in this blog, please drop a comment below or share it with someone new to riding. I'm Living Simply Sam. Living simply (and apparently dangerously) is what I do.

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