Comfort Zones

Ah, yes. Comfort zones. We all have them. They are safe, warm, inviting, and…well…comfortable. Like a favorite pair of shoes or worn-out jeans. We know exactly what to expect in our comfort zones. Exactly what we are going to do, exactly how we are going to think, and exactly what we are going to say. It’s easy to get lulled into complacency in our comfort zones.

The problem is our comfort zones shrink as we get older. We become less adventurous. Less willing to try new things. Our comfort zones become less elastic, flexible, and pliable. They become like balloons losing air – no shine, no luster; dull, and flat. Sometimes we discover our comfort zones weren’t even all that comfortable to begin with. But the longer we stay in them, the harder it becomes to step outside of them.

Living in our comfort zones inhibits personal growth. Our sense of wonder and discovery stagnates. Our belief in ourselves to take on new projects, generate new ideas, and learn new skills begins to diminish. Our ability to create new social connections and build community is held at bay.

Let’s be honest, stepping outside our personal comfort zone is hard. Really hard. It requires us to be vulnerable. It requires us to try something and possibly fail. And fail again. And again. It challenges us to put ourselves in potentially awkward situations that are completely exhausting. It might even cause us to view the world differently and gain new perspectives.

But what if it teaches us how resilient we really are? What if we learn about an inner strength and resolve we never even knew we had? What if we learn a new skill that opens up an entire world of possibilities we’ve never considered? What if we meet an amazing person, people, or group that fulfills us in ways we’ve never imagined?

The world around us is a dynamic, living, breathing thing that changes and evolves, and it can be easy to recede into our comfort zones and withdraw from the chaos, complexity, and challenges of everyday life. And sometimes we need to seek solace in our comfort zones just to simply recharge.

But things magical and mystical and wonderful (and, yes, terrifying, discouraging, and confusing) happen outside our comfort zones. These journeys outside our comfort zones are what give us purpose, what sharpen our edges, what instill our values and beliefs, what help us grow and reach our potential – what help us be human and stay rooted in our humanity. Take a step outside!

Until next week.

Andy

(All written content created the old-fashioned way.)