There are so many things I would do!
A lot of them fall into one kind of related sub-category, though: Things I’d Do If I Knew I Couldn’t Hurt Myself
I’d hang-glide, surf, kite-surf, scuba dive, and more if I knew I wasn’t going to fail and hurt myself. I like things that offer speed and thrills, but often what holds me back is being afraid that I’m going to injure myself while doing such activities (particularly while learning how to do them!)
It’s not so much that I’m afraid of the humiliation of failing while doing those things; it’s that I’m worried about bodily harm.
I think another thing that holds me back from doing things is not a fear of failure myself, but a fear of other people’s reactions to me.
To explain further: I overthink things and often play it safe in relationships, so if our hypothetical can’t-fail scenario means that I cannot possibly ruin a relationship, then I would definitely be bolder than I am now.
Alas, the real world is a place where I can indeed injure my body, and where my words and actions can ruin relationships.
And that means I have to try to find the balance between wisely careful and overly cautious.
(WHYYY is life always about balance? It would be so much easier if the extremes were where we are supposed to live!)
The same stuff–I would bungy jump, hang glide, ski, bobsled, and try to climb Mt. Everest! As I’ve gotten older, I realize I can die doing these things and I want to be around for my children and husband, so none of these for now, haha.
On another note, I would open up a restaurant with a truly healthy menu and some junk/kid food (because some people don’t want healthy at all). It would have a family side, with a play area for young children, so families could eat in somewhat peace.
I love these prompts–they really make you think.
Ooh yes, the restaurant one is a great idea! The failure rates for new restaurants are astronmically high, so imagine the freedom of knowing you coudn’t fail.
I would follow my education further and change careers! Also start a blog on the subject that I am passionate about.
On a side note: I am very afraid of heights, but once I went parasailing in Mexico. It was incredible! I felt like if I could do that, I could do anything. Sometimes it’s worth to take a risk! OTOH, I wouldn’t ride with my ex-husband on his motorcycle, even though I would have enjoyed a motorcycle ride on a nice day, because I didn’t want to risk my children losing both their parents.
I definitely would like to try parasailing. That seems pretty low risk because I am not in charge of driving anything!
Hmmm…motorcycles – I love them and have owned and ridden 3. However, I waited until my children were grown. Until two years ago, my husband and I had matching sport bikes plus a touring bike. Many happy travels together happened on that touring bike and many very FAST, exciting rides on our GSXRs. (How fast? shhhhh)
I never thought I could ride a motorcycle but with my husband’s encouragement and a safety class, I mastered them (although a surprise to my instructor). Give it a try when your children are grown – you can do it. (I was in my 60s when I started.)