Dana Dares You

2015 © Dana Eve Valencia

"We all exist within the realm of possibility. Most of the limits are of our own world's devising," David Levithan said in one of his thought-provoking books.

And I couldn’t agree more.

Was this how I saw myself eight years ago? A young lady in her mid-twenties, buying herself a Penny board for her birthday, enjoying a simple glass of coconut shake under the sun, and pulling risky Spiderman-like stunts every chance she gets?

Nope. Very far from it, actually.

Eight years ago, my straight-A, control freaky overachiever and ambitious self was convinced I'd be living a humdrum career woman life. I'd probably be running the gauntlet of eligible men my mother has drummed up for me. And I'd simply be working on what I used to plan my life around for many years. I was so dedicated, so enthusiastic at the time. 

"So you never really felt at some point like you were losing touch with yourself?" a friend of mine asked.

I would pretend I wasn't. At the back of my mind, I knew I could work my way toward that goal and still suffer in the end. But it was just so much easier to imagine my life like that because it wasn't uncertain, you know. Because it was convenient. I suppose the thought of possibly going astray had been lurking in my mind for a while then, and I'd never before let down my guard enough for it to surface until I decided to break free.

And breaking free—releasing myself from the tyranny of compulsive enumeration, stepping out of my comfort zone—was the best move I have ever made.

I mean, look at me now. I'm a young lady in her mid-twenties, buying herself a Penny board for her birthday, enjoying a simple glass of coconut shake under the sun, and pulling risky Spiderman-like stunts every chance she gets. And I've never been happier.

So for anyone who's been dodging those scary thoughts and living life as if it were a task, I dare you.

I seriously dare you.