What undressing in front of strangers taught me about life

For my 50th birthday, friends wanted to treat me to a Korean bath experience. Having had a conservative upbringing, I was horrified. I’d have to get my kit off in front of my friends. Fortunately for me, the Korean baths they’d chosen had closed and we enjoyed a high tea instead.

I’ve discovered that the more I step outside my comfort zone, the easier it gets. (Posed by model) Credit: Ibai Acevedo / Stocksy United

Fast-forward a few years and I’ve become braver. I have a fellow walker on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trek in Spain to thank for that. We chatted as we walked, and at one point in our conversation she stopped, turned, looked at me and said, “Joanne, life begins at the edge of your comfort zone.”

Since then, I regularly try to step out of my comfort zone. Like the time I took the plunge and finally got naked in front of others. It took a trip to Russia. Towel, swimming costume and soap in hand, I entered the dressing room of a traditional Russian banya (steam bath) with four similarly aged women from our small group tour. I had planned to wear my swimmers but, at the last minute, throwing caution to the wind, I left them hanging on a hook on the wall. My heart beating fast and feeling very self-conscious, I took a deep breath and walked stark-naked into the bathing area.

Avoiding the eyes of my equally naked travel companions, and feeling rather awkward, I filled a shallow yellow basin with warm water. Then, alternately dousing myself with water, soaping and rinsing off, I washed away not only the grime from the train we’d been on but also my inhibitions.

Feeling much braver now, I encouraged the others to follow me outside as I ran unclothed across the pebbly beach and dived into Lake Baikal’s icy waters. Exhilarated, I emerged squealing and gasping for air. I had conquered my fear of getting naked in front of strangers.

Some people are scared of spiders, but they have no fear of riding pillion on a motorbike. Me? Well, I have no problem with spiders, but my shoulders tense up and my heart starts racing when I even think about getting on the back of a motorbike. So, when the opportunity arose for me to join a Vespa tour in Ho Chi Minh City, I hesitantly put my hand up.

With some positive self-talk and deep breathing, my fears gradually subsided. I relaxed and even managed to take a couple of photos as we sped along.

JOANNE KARCZ

Traffic in Vietnam’s most populous city is crazy. Roaring motorbikes cram the streets. They weave in and out, missing each other by centimetres. Aware that I was extremely nervous, our guide allocated me his most experienced driver. I closed my eyes and held on for dear life as we pulled into the thrum of traffic. With some positive self-talk and deep breathing, my fears gradually subsided. I relaxed and even managed to take a couple of photos as we sped along.

Since then, I’ve stepped outside my comfort zone in other ways. I often struggle to ask things of others. Reading the book The Art of Asking, by Amanda Palmer, helped with that. After all, as she points out, people can say no.

As an aspiring street photographer, I like to capture people in their environment. This means working up the courage to ask them if I can take their picture. In Tokyo, I came across a man sitting outside a tattoo shop smoking. His shaven head and neck were covered with intricate tattoos, and I knew he’d make a great subject.

Conservative me found his appearance confronting. I was scared to ask him if I could take his photo. I hesitantly approached him. We ended up having a long, friendly conversation, and I left with not only a great shot, but a lovely memory of the experience.

Another time, I won a competition with a rather odd prize. I could take my family to see Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks at a fully catered function, or I could travel to India to help build a house with the charity Habitat for Humanity.

The thought of travelling solo terrified me. I’d only ever travelled with my partner. All I could think of was all the things that could go wrong. I’d get sick or injure my dodgy back. And wasn’t I too old to be building a house? I really wanted to go to India, but I chose the safer fireworks option.

Fortunately, others persuaded me to change my decision. I went to India. Faced with new experiences on every corner, I was challenged and rewarded in equal parts. Arriving alone and late at night, I had to negotiate the unfamiliar bathroom facilities in my simple hotel room.

Terrified, I stepped into a tuk-tuk for the first time and then wondered why I’d been so scared. The poverty challenged me. The people, the colour and the noise energised me. The experience humbled me.

I’ve discovered that the more I step outside my comfort zone, the easier it gets. I regularly travel solo these days. It’s no longer a problem for me to get naked in front of strangers. I have a birthday coming up. It’s time to be brave and get my kit off in front of friends in a Korean bath.

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