Background

As I turned my calendar to 2017, I was faced with the reality that it was the year in which I would turn 40. It felt like a punch in the gut, and I quickly slipped into a panicky depression, which threatened to consume me. I knew from previous experience that I didn't want to get stuck in that mire, so I began to cast about for a lifeline.

It was around that time that I happened upon Lu Ann Cahn's book I Dare Me: How I rebooted and recharged my life by doing something new every day. The subtitle drew me in like a beacon. I needed rebooting and recharging, and I could see how doing something new every day might be a good method by which to overcome the mundanity of life. Ms. Cahn's method was easy: just say "yes." She decided she would say "yes" to new opportunities in her daily life and that she would seek out such opportunities when they didn't seem to just appear. She would give herself permission to step out of her comfort zone, and she would approach her days with an open mind. Some of her firsts were simple, like trying a new-to-her food. Some were things she had always wanted to do but hadn't made a priority. And, some were adventurous or aimed at overcoming specific fears. The book was an inspiration to me, and I decided then and there that I wanted to orchestrate my own Year of Firsts. After thinking it over for a few days, I determined to have my year of firsts start on my birthday, as a way to sort of take the edge off this leap into a new decade of life. 

There is a concept in improv acting called the "yes, and" principle. It is where the players resolve to take what is given to them and make it their own. It is one of the things that makes improv funny and clever. Most people tend to want to say "No" or "Yes, but," because they don't want to accept what's given or they don't want to relinquish control of the scene. But these answers kill the scene and the humor along with it. I'm certainly no improv actress, but I'm enamored by the principles employed in this type of acting and see the benefits of implementing these strategies for success in everyday life, whether it includes a stage or not. I decided that "Yes, And" was a good name for my Year of Firsts journey because I want to strive to embrace what life gives me and make it my own. 

This year, I will be looking for opportunities to say "yes" to new experiences, and I will be recording my journey on this blog. Here's to turning 40!