A few years ago I was terrified of new situations.
My ability to have confidence around strangers was non-existent. On the other hand I was bored. There are only so many Saturdays you can sit in Starbucks before the novelty of a cappuccino in a red cup wears off and the only way to overcome this was to meet new people and do new things.
So in March 2005, determined to overcome my phobias, I decided to do an Outward Bound® course. I spent a week in The Lake District, braving the elements with 10 strangers.
I was not particularly fond of the idea of mountain walking, the rain or camping without a tent and when I came back from my first expedition I went straight to my room and begged my mum to fetch me. Reluctantly I agreed to try it a little longer and see if things picked up.
That afternoon we went gorge walking. I struggled at first but my group was really supportive and I still swear that it was one of the best experiences of my life. Between the 11 of us, we came from entirely different backgrounds with entirely different attitudes towards the challenges we faced. By the end of the week we were a team and great friends and we still keep in touch.
It proved to me that new situations aren?t as bad as I had thought. When I got home, in an effort to carry on my enthusiasm for outdoor activities, I joined the air training corps where I learnt more skills and made more friends and I?m now studying for a Gliding Scholarship.
Now I talk to strangers with complete confidence and I don?t panic every time a new situation presents itself. I have overcome my fears and when, on the odd occasion, I do sit in Starbucks with my cappuccino in a red cup, I have the best stories to tell.
The Facts
- Age 15
- Outward Bound® Course - Adventure Week, Ullswater (March 2005)
The Outward Bound® blog is made up from 'My Outward Bound stories', written by participants of Outward Bound courses, and a provides a real insight into Outward Bound from a participants point of view
