I don’t often have guest posts, so if I do, there is a good reason. 
Samantha Bangayan is a popular fixture in the online world. She is a chance-taker who doesn’t mind using dynamite when it comes to breaking through her comfort zones. She writes about the ‘little things‘ in life (it’s all in the details!). Make sure you read her ‘About the Blog‘ page.
Without further ado…here’s Sam!
When Do You Need to Take a Chance?
I firmly believe that life tells us when it’s time 
to take a chance. There’s restlessness, dissatisfaction and a general feeling that something isn’t right. You feel a desire to change things up, but you don’t know why or how. When things just don’t seem right and there’s no explanation, it’s time to reassess and consider stepping out of your comfort zone. It’s when you feel discomfort that change happens. And if we base our lives upon that premise, then life’s goal is no longer stability but endless growth.
This was exactly how I felt for so many years through the indecisiveness and uncertainty of university years. Funny how that’s when all the questions start, when everyone seems to want to know exactly what you want to do with the rest of your life. How is it possible to make a decision for the rest of your life when you’re in your 20’s? I think it’s pretty common not to know. It’s what you do about not knowing. Either you come to terms with not knowing or you do something about it.
How to Take a Chance?
So you want to do something new but have no idea where to begin? Keep your eyes and ears out for opportunities. These may be opportunities you’ve always thought about trying or oppositely, things you would never have considered at all. Try taking classes, participating in workshops, volunteering in a new field or traveling to a completely foreign place. It won’t hurt to be a “Yes Man” every once in a while, taking your friends up on invitations to random events you would have never thought of attending yourself.
My own restlessness was combined with no real direction in life, but two life-changing opportunities presented themselves to me: a student exchange to Japan and an internship to Peru a year later. I couldn’t afford to travel, but I received a scholarship for Japan and was funded for the internship to Peru. There wasn’t anything specific about Japan and Peru that attracted me at those times. All I knew was that I needed to get out of Vancouver and the world came together, so doors could open.
What Happens When You Take a Chance?
The biggest misconception about taking a 
chance is that it’s supposed to be one grand adventure. Throw that expectation out the window because trying something new isn’t always exhilarating. You may find that you’re not truly interested in the topic but that you’ve gained new transferable skills. You may return home at the end of the day, the same as you’ve always been but with a new network of amazing friends. You may hate the experience at the time but find the value in it years later.
All the time I’ve spent away from home, I’ve regularly doubted myself and asked myself, “What am I doing here?” It’s only when I look back that I’m able to properly judge the value of the trips. I gained international work experience, learned new languages, picked up cross-cultural communication skills, built patience, adjusted my perspective on life, and even met my husband.
The point is being open and flexible to growing in unexpected ways, surprising yourself, and learning what life may be out to teach you.