Our comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.
It’s true; we find great comfort in our daily routines, relationships and how our life is moving along because it’s familiar. It is our safe space. It’s where we feel content with who we are and what we’ve created.
However, we become stagnant by staying in that same place and not challenging ourselves. We stay where we are because we are scared of the unknown, but our growth is impossible without challenges, triumphs and failures.
Are You Too Comfortable?
Change can be uncomfortable, leading us to stay in unfulfilling jobs, relationships and situations. Sometimes we are so scared of change that we rationalize staying the same where we are unhappy because at least we know what to expect.
We are exposed to rejection, failure, and loneliness when we venture outside our comfort zones. On the other hand, we also create opportunities for ourselves to feel connected to others and experience acceptance and success.
A comfort zone can be safe, but nothing ever grows there.
A few years ago, I learned how to rock climb at an indoor gym. Although it was exhilarating, I found myself absolutely out of my comfort zone. After trying for hours to make it to the top of a wall, I was exhausted and nearly in tears as I was never moving up further than 20 feet without coming off the wall.
Thankfully, the teacher pushed me to figure it out. He told me that climbing up the wall was as much mental as physical and that I could do it. I kept trying. After a couple more falls, I finally made it to the top. Once there, however, I found myself too terrified to step off and repel back down. Sheesh! The instructor came to my rescue and encouraged me so that I was able to get back down with one brave leap of faith (literally).
As a result of this experience, I learned that I have much more mental and physical strength than I thought. I would never have discovered that about myself if I hadn’t tried this sport.
We grow by taking risks outside our comfort zone, but more so by our failures, setbacks, and disappointments. Difficult times enable us to learn more about our strengths, weaknesses and who we want to be. To reap the benefits of growth, we must open ourselves up to the universe and all its possibilities.
We will inevitably feel fear standing at the edge of our comfort zones, ready to leap into the unfamiliar. But instead of wondering what will happen if we fall, we could be curious, asking, “what if I fly?”
Share this post
Kirsti Out Wandering aspires to illustrate well-being in mind, body & spirit, giving unconditional love to self and others, and pursuing all of the wild possibilities life serves up while living full-time from a sprinter van.
Follow along! Be sure to sign up for my monthly newsletter filled with stories and tips on travel, exploring, van-living, self-care & yoga, photography and life on the road.
