#10 Your Comfort Zone

Growing up, everyone always talked about how we should stretch our comfort zones. My life was an endless stream of lectures, posts and sermons on how we need to get out there and grow! Try new things, meet new people, take on new challenges, and so on. And if doing those things has made your life better, then cool! More power to you! But the problem that I often struggle with is the fact that this flood-like emphasis on escaping the comfort zone has put us in a place where our comfort zone has become a bad place. As if it’s wrong to take a breather for a bit. I say to heck with that! Balance the scales of comfy and uncomfy so that you can live a balanced life. 

Here’s the thing. We will all feel small sometimes. That’s normal. It’s a natural part of life. And we need to be able to have a place where we can accept that we feel this way. We all need a cozy den to recoup and admit that this is where we are in life. It’s important that we find that place where we can recharge our batteries for the growth ahead. Because sometimes the world won’t let up, and it feels like our box of hate-mail is full and the phone won’t stop ringing with people out to get us. We need to have that secure place to rest. If we don’t, we’ll burn to a crisp for sure. 

Because news flash: growing is tough. It takes hard work and a ton of stress to grow into something you’re not. Getting out there and doing new things and interacting with new people will take its toll on you. Even for the most adventurous of folk, it tires you out mentally and physically. Eventually we all need something familiar and comfy-cozy to return to. We all need a bed to rest our heads on sometimes. 

I have reflected on this a lot. Not just because of all the messages about comfort zones like I mentioned earlier, but because of all the adventures I have been on. And, in case you didn’t know, I have been on a lot of adventures. From flying to hiking to road trips, I have done a lot with my life so far. But I have often felt like it has been too much. You see, when you spend a lot of time in your discomfort zone, all the good stuff that comes from doing new things stops coming to you. Too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing and you don’t really have the time to process or appreciate it all. The only thing that sticks in your memory from all your adventures is the stress that it came with. It all goes to waste if you don’t have enough down time to chase it with.

And apart from getting out of my head and overused routine, I haven’t seen the use in some of the adventures I have been on. People talk about stuff like traveling and hiking (I know, a coloradan who hates hiking. Strange, right?) like it’s the best thing for you. I say they’re just biased, almost like they think their interests are more sophisticated than anyone else’s. As for me, give me a night of city lights and I’m in paradise. 

Ok, I know that sounded a little snide. Obviously, I have a bias of my own. I think everyone does. But to bring things back around, I think everyone should tap into what brings them comfort. Then they should balance that out with some new stuff. But if all our time is spent out there exploring new things, it’s bound to get to us at some point. Life is tough enough, so spend some time where you feel safe and secure. Take a chunk of time to tap back into what makes you you. 

I pray this post finds you well, and that you tap into that special magic that brings your world to life.

Until next time

May Peace be your Guide.