By Eve Bell

I always tell my children that the best stuff happens outside of your comfort zone. Children learn by watching, so it feels like I perpetually live outside mine, as I want to practice what I preach.

Skiing has never wanted to sit inside my comfort zone. But being the determined woman I am, I won’t give in to my fear and I keep trying. Especially because everyone else in my family loves it so much.

Taking in the magnificent sights of the slopes and breathing the mountain air fills me with awe and gratitude. It used to be the sea that called me but now it is the mountains. We never made it to the mountains last year but the call for the mountains came knocking loudly this year. The  mountains. Not the skiing. The mountains. But I signed up to putting on the heavy boots yet again.

I surprised myself about how calm I was this time around. I didn’t find myself being concerned about what people behind me were doing. I was content with going at my own pace and the best thing was I didn’t feel self-conscious. I always say that going skiing is like therapy – you truly find out what you are made of.

This time around was so much different. I’m so much different but I didn’t realise until I was flying down the slopes towards the end of the week. I have built up so much mental strength with the number of curveballs thrown my way since we went skiing last and it definitely showed.

Facing my fears part III was definitely easier than the first two parts. Can’t imagine I will ever be fear free on the mountains. Unless I am sat in a cafe reading. Now that would be bliss.