I’ve been on this planet for just over 32 years and for most of them I’ve always been in the background.

I hate being front and centre in any situation – I’m that person who goes bright red when people sing Happy Birthday and the idea of getting married (if I ever get that far) fills me with dread.

But over the past few months I’ve been thinking about stepping out of my safe zone.

It’s about making small changes that push me a little bit further. I guess, in a way, it’s that cliche thing of feeling the need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

I suppose it was partly the result of being stuck inside for two years and partially losing my job – then having to embrace being self-employed – that made me realise life is short.

So, in a way that’s not traditionally very on brand for me, I decided to jump in feet first and spend a week pushing my personal boundaries. Here’s what happened…

First on my ultra list? Going bolder with my make-up. OK, so it might sound like an anti-climax but I’m somebody who doesn’t tend to wear much.

I love a red lip, but would never wear one in public through fear of being stared at.

I’ve always been self-conscious about my teeth – thinking they are yellow and so never wanting to draw attention to them.

However, I recently started using Colgate Max White Ultra Toothpaste and it’s absolutely transformed my smile.

A whitening toothpaste packed full of active oxygen molecules that tackle both surface and deeper stains, I started seeing results after just three days*. And with my smile now more ultra than ever, using the right shade of red lipstick complimented it to a tee.

I won’t lie, I was self-conscious at first and was convinced I had it on my teeth or on my chin, but I soon realised that people in London are in their own little world and nobody pays attention to anybody – or anything – else.

I even got a compliment from a waitress who served me, so I’m taking that as a massive win.

Next up in my week of being ultra? Join a gym and stop being such a wimp.

I’ve had a PT for a few years but sessions are virtual and I much prefer being trained in person. But the idea of having a consultation and being shown around a gym is petrifying to me.

If you asked me why, I’d say it’s because being surrounded by grunting men lifting heavy weights doesn’t feel like a safe space. But I put my big girl pants on and messaged a trainer who works locally and organised a meeting with her.

Walking into the gym I’m filled with fear and I feel the most nervous I have for a while. There was nothing to worry about though: the PT was immediately friendly and approachable.

We chatted for about half an hour and I felt at ease. She showed me around the gym (there are treadmills with Netflix built into them… I know), and while there are a lot of men, they’re not the scary animals that my brain made me believe they would be.

Instead, they pay no attention to me. Of course, I have no doubt going to the gym on my own for the first time to do a proper workout session will be just as scary, but I can rationalise it in my mind and I know that it won’t be as bad as I think it would be. 

As well as those two things, I also decided to be bolder in my approach to freelance work.

I upped my rates, said no to jobs that weren’t worth my time or that I don’t enjoy doing, and reached out to brands that I’d love to work with in some capacity in the future: they’re all things I’ve wanted to do for a while but a lack of confidence stopped me.

Stepping out of my comfort zone in other areas of my life taught me that I should do the same professionally. I work for myself, so I have to advocate for myself and have confidence in my abilities – and after all, what’s the worst that can happen?

Everything is a lesson and you never know if you don’t ask.

Over the week, I learned that putting myself in uncomfortable situations wasn’t half as bad as I’d forced myself to believe.

One step at a time is the key, but once I’d overcome the first hurdle, jumping over another wasn’t quite so scary.

Living a more ultra version of my life made me feel bolder and more energised, and I noticed my confidence growing as the week progressed.

Most of the time it’s very much a case of mind over matter, so here’s to no longer shrinking into the background – I want that main character energy to flood into every area of my life and now I really think it will.

Want to live a more ultra version of your life? Your smile is a great place to start. Colgate Max White Ultra Toothpaste offers a whiter smile in just three days*, thanks to a clever formula packed full of powerful active oxygen molecules. Find out more here.

*With twice daily brushing. Stains caused by food and drink.