I remember when I was in highschool and had just started to freely go around in Tehran along with my friends, one of them asked me “Isn’t it like open world games? We are discovering new areas in our city. Previously, we didn’t even know those places exist.”
He was right at that moment. But after some years, I’m again having a feeling like that. This whole new world is new to me. Again, I have some unknown places around me, both physically and virtually. I’m just exploring and getting used to them. Sometimes, I’m brave and can explore freely. Sometimes, I’m coward and just stay in my known places. It’s like there is a constant battle between these two sides. One of them always tells me to go for the new experiences, and one of them always telling me “Oh boy you are so tired. Just chill and enjoy your safe zone and the things you have discovered so far.” Interestingly, the latter voice gets louder and louder as I get closer to that new experience, trying to discourage me from it until the last moment.
I remember the first times I wanted to go to a restaurant, Heimbar, or the bouldering arena. It was really hard for me. I had to spend a lot of energy just not to be afraid and experience them. But it was much easier to go to those places again after the first time. Just like the way it is in open world games.
However, this way of looking to the situation arises two (or more) questions in my mind:
First, how long does it take from me to discover my whole surroundings? Of course, one can claim that it’s a lifetime journey and there will always be new things to discover. But we can rephrase the question: How long does it take from me to know my surroundings almost like the native people? Obviously, the answer to this question depends on the amount of effort I’m ready to put in.
And here comes the second question: How can I accelerate this process? I might search about it later. But the only obvious answer that comes to my mind at the moment is “By not being afraid. In other words, by embracing the opportunities to experience new things and talk to new people.”
Another thing that makes me feel good about my current situation is thinking about how my current experience and my concious attention to my feelings will help me in the future If I end up in a similar situation. For example, I might move from here to a whole new environment again. I think my current experience will help me to settle in that new place earlier and more efficiently.