It’s a public holiday here in my new hometown. The Show (fair) is in town and we locals get a day off to enjoy the fun and frivolity. Of course the fact I’m not working means I don’t officially get a paid to stay at home and not-work, but still… it’s nice seeing everyone else in ‘woo-hoo-it’s-a-long-weekend’ mode.

And… although I don’t intend to go anywhere near the Show (which I’ve written about in my local blog), it’s been SHOWTIME this week for me in a couple of other ways. And… in line with my last post about sharing the good and the bad, today it is – fortunately – mostly good!

I’m a week into my new training program. I’ve exercised EVERY day (yes, EVERY day – you heard it here first… well, unless you’ve read my Facebook feed!) and even returned to Zumba yesterday. It’s two weeks since I had my embarrassing fall and I have to admit, I was a bit gun-shy, but realised I needed to climb back on that horse, or bicycle (lost track of my metaphors!) lest I lose confidence forever.

I kept my movements low-impact but… am pleased to report I survived the class with no injuries and my confidence (mostly) restored. Better still, the regular exercise means that I’m already feeling more sure-footed and agile again.

The week of exercise has involved 2 x 2 gym sessions (featuring some basic moves like squats, push-ups, chest presses, leg extensions etc) followed by a short cardio session (a walk in my case) or just a cardio session (again a walk, or Zumba). My trainer has been amazingly zen about my food and exercise and I’ve found that a relief. And encouraging.

I told my visiting mother last night that – although I’m sure I haven’t lost weight – I feel leaner and stronger. Already.

And #goodnews item number 2: Today, I spent the morning at the local art gallery where my writers’ group had been asked to provide some poems and short pieces in line with the current exhibitions. I had, ‘sort of’, agreed to write something but then struggled with the topics on offer. I wasn’t going to bother at all, but a shortage of offerings meant that the coordinator was keen for all she could get. So… eventually struck by inspiration yesterday afternoon, I whipped up something.

I provided it on the promise that someone else would read it as, although I blog and write everyday, I can’t read my stuff in public and don’t want to see people’s reaction to my writing. However… after some nagging from my mother and a friend, I succumbed at the last minute and read it myself. And I am stoked that I did. The room was full of (ahem) oldies and supporters of the arts and the whole event was relatively informal, so in the end I felt comfortable. I attempted to read slowly and speak clearly. I got some nice feedback afterwards, but that wasn’t important.

The fact that I did it was enough for me. (Read the piece I wrote in my other blog if you are sufficiently bored have the time!)

I had to move outside of my comfort zone in a whole new way this week. Have you tried something you’ve long feared? 
Do you suffer performance anxiety?