A recent poll of 2,000 adults has revealed that over half of Brits suffer from FOSY, or ‘fear of saying yes.’ Financial worries and lack of confidence were cited as the main factors holding individuals back from enjoying new experiences in the past year.
Interestingly, the study found that in January, the beginning of a new year associated with personal growth, the average adult rejects something they actually desire to do every 10 days due to this fear of saying yes. Consequently, a significant percentage of respondents feel they have missed out on making new friends, going on dates, and trying new hobbies as a result.
To encourage a change in mindset, non-alcoholic aperitivo brand Crodino has launched a campaign to inspire people to overcome the fear of saying no. As part of the initiative, complimentary experiences such as cookery classes, bouquet making, and karaoke are being offered throughout the month.
Psychologist Emma Kenny, who has partnered with Crodino for this campaign, discussed the reasons behind FOSY and the positive impact of conquering it. She explained that the fear often stems from the discomfort of stepping outside our comfort zones or the anticipation of judgment and self-doubt. However, she emphasized that embracing new experiences and saying yes can lead to personal growth, increased confidence, and a more fulfilling life.
According to the research, three in five Brits aim to beat the January blues and say yes more in 2023. Respondents expressed their intentions to accept more social invitations, explore new cuisines, enhance their cooking skills, and seek variety in their lives. Over 40 percent hope that embracing new experiences will make them more positive individuals and bring a sense of fulfillment.
Loris Contro, Campari Group UK Italian Icons brand ambassador, commented, “We understand that taking the initial leap of faith and saying yes to something new can be daunting at first – but the outcome can be so rewarding. That’s why we want to help people overcome their fear of saying yes and start the year as we mean to go on by doing the things we want to do.”
To support this mindset shift, Crodino has partnered with various hospitality venues across London, including Eataly, Nest, and Salt Yard Borough, offering free passes to experiential events until January 17th. Individuals can apply for these passes on the Crodino website (www.crodinouk.com).
Here are the top 10 things to say yes to in 2023:
- New travel and holiday destinations
- More social activities and plans
- New friendships
- New health and exercise regimes
- New hobbies
- Cultural experiences
- New career and job opportunities
- New opportunities for self-care
- Live music events
- New food and cuisine
Sam Allcock is the CEO of PR FIRE – PR & Content Marketing Platform
Talks about #pr, #blogs, #marketing, #socialmedia, and #pressrelease
Writes for The Dial in his own time.