How many times have you been offered an amazing opportunity but end up turning it down due to fear? How often do you say no because you are afraid of getting out of your comfort zone? If you are anything like me, then you suffer from this more than you would like to admit.

I, along with many people my age, suffer day to day with restrictions that stem from anxiety – especially in social situations. So for me, sometimes saying “no” is the easiest way out of an awkward and uncomfortable situation. This simple word somehow allows the mind to think that it would be safer to stay inside comfort zones and do the things that lie within those boundaries rather than doing something completely new. Thus, you stray away from taking risks and exploring new territories. But what kind of life is that? Life is too short to be confined to living such a restrictive lifestyle.

If you are reading this and you suffer from a similar situation, then I know very well you want the ability to say yes to more events and opportunities. So, my advice to you is to say YES. I know it sounds much easier than it is to actually do and you cannot always say yes, but trust me. Saying yes to more things has allowed me to put myself out there and make some incredible memories.

So try it. Say yes to something you would, on a normal day, turn down. Try different foods, listen to different music, travel to different places. Try changing the way you would normally behave. If you’re shy, try making the first move to make a new friend. If you’re quiet, try speaking up for something you believe in. Whatever your situation and whatever you decide to do, you will learn something from it. You might even discover a hidden passion. With this being said, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a dramatic change. As long as you push yourself and the barriers you are confined to, you open yourself up to more opportunities that life has to offer instead of sticking with what you already know and have. When doing this, the amount of opportunities that you allow to slip past you will then come to the surface; you will realize how much you have been missing out on.

So many people go throughout life thinking they have no sort of impact or purpose in the world, believing they only have one path open to them. This sort of mindset makes their thoughts become a reality because they never try anything new. But, remember this: life is a huge, ever-changing experiment, and it does not come with a rulebook. YOU are in control of it. The more you stay within the boundaries of your comfort zone, the more you will miss out on and the less you will discover. However, the more you say yes to different situations, the more you will learn and the less you will regret missing out on. Saying no is the real risk that closes the doors to new opportunities. So change your life and say yes.