Bangkok dangerous! Don't try this at home...

As an expat and woman in Bangkok I am in danger all the time...or so most people I talk to, who have not been here, seem to think. They often say things like: "Aren't you scared? Isn't Bangkok dangerous for women?" Most of these ideas come from something they may have glimpsed on the news or some report on the internet that highlighted some danger. Yes, we have had multiple coup d'etats here in the last 6 years, and certainly people died. We've also had floods, and more people died or their homes were ruined. People get killed here just as they do in the USA, Europe or Canada.

That does not stop most people from living a very enjoyable life here on a daily basis, and creating businesses in this thriving, bustling metropolis. 

In fact, I feel safer here than in many other countries. For one, with nearly 15 million people in this city, there are always people around. There are very few dark alleys for evil to lurk, most streets are brightly lit, with people out and about, eating on the street, socialising any night of the week. Thais are generally polite and happy to help if you ask for it. 

So when I hear that question, 'Aren't you scared?" about living and working overseas here in Asia, I wonder if it is not because the person asking it is maybe scared. Scared of unknowns, or scared of being out of their own comfort zone. It is easy to pass on an opportunity because it "may be dangerous" or "it wouldn't work anyway", or "I could never do/complete/succeed in that".  I let myself fall victim to that train of thought sometimes too. It is safe and easy. Comfortable like a well-worn blanket. 

Not your average commute to work...

But lately I've been doing a lot of reading about productivity, efficiency and challenging yourself. So I try to shrug off that security blanket sometimes and push myself beyond my comfort level. 

Because when you think about it, when are you really the happiest? 

It is when you are safely on the couch, watching that TV show, eating the same few rotated dinners, going on holiday to the same old places year in, year out? 

Or is it that time when you threw caution to the wind and went on that zip line adventure, or that time when you tried sushi and found out you loved raw fish after all? Or when you went cycling through the Masai Mara, and ended crashing upside down in an aardvark hole with scratches and bruises all over, but was not that one of the highlights of the trip? 

When do you feel the most alive? Tim Ferriss' book, The 4-Hour Workweek suggests that the opposite of happiness is not sadness but boredom, and that therefore excitement equates to happiness. For me, I think that's what makes me love being my own boss as well as living in another country. It forces me to get outside my comfort zone sometimes, simply because I've either never done it before, or I've never been there before. And guess what? Most times, I don't die, I don't actually fail miserably, or horribly embarrass myself. In most cases, the worst case scenario is just a good laugh at yourself. I think you'll find the same thing for you. 

Try a new dish every week...?

So why not give yourself a challenge? Perhaps start small: Eat something completely new, once a week. (Eating children only recommended for fictional characters.)

Or check out this Failure Games app, which gives you challenges and 24 hours to complete each. Today's challenge: Ask a friend to write down 3 things you can improve upon, then take a photo of the list (you have to submit the proof; you're held accountable!). 

In stead of re-booking last year's all-inclusive getaway, you could throw a dart at a map and go on a road trip holiday there. Imagine if you got lost! Would it really be so bad? 

There are lots of ways to challenge yourself. If you're getting a queazy feeling in your gut, you're doing it right! 

Hopefully this post inspired you to take a step outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself. If it did, or if you have other ideas and suggestions, please share it in the comments!

Happy Halloween everyone! Spook on! 

Cristel

Your Senzu Style Insider.