A writer scared of stepping out of her comfort zone challenged herself to say yes to everything… and ended up with a tattoo and a Guinness World Record
Determined to make 2017 her most exciting year yet, Fabulous' Features Writer Morgan Reardon created the hashtag #DareMorgs and asked social media followers to assign her challenges
THERE'S a confession I have to make – I’ve never stuck to a New Year’s resolution before.
The thought of having to step out of my comfort zone makes me freak out.
But this year, inspired by Hannah Doyle’s book – about a fictional woman called Izzy who refuses to turn down any challenge – I wanted to find out how doing just that would play out in real life.
After creating the #DareMorgs hashtag, I asked family, friends and even strangers on social media to assign me challenges.
Here’s how I got on…
Dare 1: Become a cheerleader
My first task comes courtesy of Fabulous’ Lifestyle Director Farzana, and it’s a good ‘un.
Kirsten Dunst’s cheerleading flick Bring It On was one of my favourite movies growing up, so I’m excited to see the Denver Nuggets cheerleaders in action.
But with a non-existent exercise regime, I’m worried about being able to keep up.
Walking into the famous Pineapple Dance Studios in London’s Covent Garden, I’m greeted by 20 genetically blessed women clad in sparkly Spandex, holding pompoms.
I’m intimidated by their incredible moves and perfect figures.
While they’re rocking figure- hugging leotards, I’m dressed head-to-toe in black with a greying bra poking out from under my vest.
After just a few minutes, I’ve already broken into a sweat, while my fellow dancers don’t have a hair out of place.
However, despite a few initial stumbles, I quickly pick up the moves and find myself lapping up congratulatory cheers of “You go, girl!”
When I’m offered pompoms for the final routine, I nearly die from excitement.
By the end of the session, I’m really proud of myself.
Dare 2: Get a tattoo
Within days, #DareMorgs has gone global and my old school friend Pete, 31, in Australia challenges me to get a tattoo.
I’ve toyed with the idea of getting one before, but have always chickened out.
Not this time, though!
So I book an appointment at the tattoo parlour Love Hate Social Club in west London.
I’m probably the least cool person to have ever walked through the doors, but thankfully the tattooist doesn’t laugh in my face when I ask for a heart on my wrist.
The sound of the vibrating needle makes my stomach flip, but I don’t feel the searing pain I’d imagined – it’s more like an annoying scratch.
It’s over quickly and I instantly feel tougher.
That is until I post a photo on Facebook and my dad Bruce, 63, comments: “I hope that isn’t what I think it is.”
Oops.
Dare 3: Climb the O2 arena
Because I’m scared of heights, I just knew someone would use it against me.
But I didn’t think it would be my lovely cousin Becca, 27, who dares me to climb The O2 Arena.
Up At The O2 has been a tourist attraction since 2012, and the 90-minute experience sees people scale the dome-like building along a 380m- long walkway, starting at ground level and rising up 52m.
As I’m harnessed to a rope handrail, there’s nothing else separating me from a long fall.
Last time I was here, I enjoyed a Fatboy Slim gig inside.
Today, I’ll probably fall to my death wearing a waterproof onesie.
There is one hairy moment when my harness gets stuck, but when I finally reach the top, the breathtaking view is worth it.
Suddenly, I’m beginning to understand the benefits of this whole dare system, as I’d never have chosen to do something like this.
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Dare 4: Set a Guinness World Record
Ever since I was little, I’ve been fascinated by people who hold Guinness World Records titles, such as the man who has never cut his fingernails (eurgh!).
Thankfully, when Fabulous’ Assistant Editor (Celebrity) Natalie dares me to break a record, she chooses something a bit more achievable – the most pairs of pants two people can put on in one minute.
The catch is that one of us has to put the pants on the other, who must have their arms folded.
Sound easy? It’s not.
Our first attempt in front of the adjudicator Rebecca doesn’t go well.
Natalie’s foot gets caught in the first pair of pants and it throws off our rhythm.
We’re crestfallen when Rebecca reveals we’ve fallen short of breaking the record by four pairs.
Thankfully, we get three attempts, and the second try goes much more smoothly (even though Natalie knees me in the face).
We wait with bated breath while Rebecca slowly counts the number of pants.
We need 16 and we’ve got, drumroll… 17!
OK, so it might not be enough to hold on to the record for long, but we are Guinness World Record holders – and have certificates to prove it!
Dare 5: Go speed dating
Next, a PR called Klara, 30, challenges me via Twitter to take part in a special speed-dating night she’s putting on at The View from The Shard – heights again, joy!
The premise is simple: I’m introduced to one guy at a time and have a maximum of three men to choose from.
However, each date only lasts the time it takes for the lift to ascend to the top floor 244m up, so that only gives me about 60 seconds to determine if he’s worth it or not.
As I enter the lift, I’m relieved that there’s a good-looking guy standing in front of me, who introduces himself as Ben.
The time passes in a blur and I have no idea what we’ve talked about, so I decide to see what guy number two has to offer instead.
Sadly, he looks like someone I went to school with, so I pass on him, too, which means I’m left with the third and final guy, Joel.
He indulges me when I quiz him on some pretty serious topics – first up, Batman or Superman?
He quickly tells me that Batman is not a superhero and I think we have our first argument.
We arrive for our date on the viewing deck of The Shard, and find champagne on ice.
When he’s asked what he found most attractive about me, Joel says he liked that I asked him about Batman.
Er, that’s it?!
As the night wraps up, I decide that while it’s not love at first lift ride with Joel, it’s certainly a dating experience I won’t ever forget.
The verdict
While at times I’ve wanted to run in the other direction, I’ve loved every single one of the challenges I’ve been set.
The experience has made me realise that I should start saying yes more often to things that make me a bit uncomfortable, because the results can be lots of fun.
I might even let my friends set me dares once a month just to see what else I can do.
With thanks to , , . Guinness World Records 2017: Blockbusters! is out March 23. Denver Nuggets were in London ahead of the NBA Global Games. The ebook of The Year of Saying Yes by Hannah Doyle is out now.