Expanding My Comfort Zone

One of my best friends sent a mock news story to a few of us yesterday. It told of how many people die each year when they step outside their comfort zones. Hmm...methinks my girlfriend knows that feeling, and knows that some of us, too, feel a wee bit of trepidation at taking those few steps outside of "the way it's always been." I've never done that before. What if I'm not any good?

Luckily, as friends, we have a support system. We throw out ideas to each other for things we can try. We help to bring logic to the discussion when one of us has some irrational fears. It's easy to forget your own strength; our friends are there to remind us.

I was very comfortable in my job of 11 years. Then, that job was gone. Starting a new job, when I find one, will be outside of my comfort zone. I've only had two long-term jobs since college. Going to a new office with new people and new tasks will take some adjustment. But I'm confident that I'm in a good zone now to succeed.

I've been doing a few things lately that would have definitely been outside that zone just a few years ago. The most obvious? I started this blog. I'm still finding my way, but when an idea comes to me, I write about it. And some people read it. Not so long ago I would have trembled at the thought and not typed a word. But with a little encouragement, and that rational perspective from girlfriends, I just jumped right in. I've even tried a few poems. It keeps me connected to my creativity. And the more I do it, the more writing settles into my comfort zone.

Just this evening, I took some more steps outside my zone...literally. I walked up to the store to pick up something for supper. In the past, if I had found myself without a car I would likely have had peanut butter or whatever else I could dig out of the cupboards. But I felt like something else. (Now, don't judge me for picking up a microwave meal with a side salad from the deli. I didn't say I went to get something to cook for supper.) I've never been much of a "walker." It's not that far away, but I don't know if I would have even tried to walk to the store last summer. But it was still light outside, it's a decent neighborhood, and I've been walking every day (almost) for the last few months. Instead of assuming that I couldn't do it because I hadn't done it before, I assumed that it would be no big deal. And as for my walking routine, I've increased my distance, and am working on upping my pace. I'm a far cry from an athlete, but I keep going because I know that I can do it.

I'm broadening my comfort zone and becoming a better broad because of it. People don't die just from trying something different. What's the worst than can happen?

Have you stepped outside your zone and found that the usual routine you were accustomed to wasn't all you thought it was cracked up to be?