- What would you do if you were not afraid?
- When was the last time you stepped outside of your comfort zone?
- Do you resist or embrace life changes?
- What are you doing right now to fulfill your wildest dreams?
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” is one of my all-time favorite quotes. I couldn’t agree more. I mean, you never know just how far you can go until you test your boundaries in life and love. So I’m all about breaking fears wide open, daring to take risks, and exposing vulnerabilities. But now that I’ve been living way outside of my comfort zone in just about every area of my life for the past fifteen months I’m starting to wonder just how far we should wander from comfort and for how long.
Of course, my situation is kinda unique. It’s not that often we uproot our lives and move to a private resort island in the middle of the Caribbean away from friends, family, the lifestyle we’re accustomed to, and all its creature comforts. But that's my current situation. And this bold move has made me realize that, when taking gigantic leaps of faith into the unknown, it’s important to stay centered with things that are familiar and bring us - comfort. Because those things stabilize us through the tumultuous winds of change that make us doubt ourselves, our purpose, and our future. Things like pleasure, ritual, and familiarity feel extremely grounding during times of shift. When we finally build the nerve to “go for it!” they comfort us through life's challenges and painful times of mental, emotional or spiritual growth. And sometimes, they remind us of what we’re striving for in the first place.
What keeps me centered while living so far out of my comfort zone are two rituals that always bring me comfort. Journaling keeps me honest about my emotions and aware of my mindset. It's where I can speak my truth without fear (the good, the bad, and the really ugly) and find clarity in the process (plus the humor in my situation). It reminds me of who I am, my purpose, and my dreams, which puts this two year island experience into perspective. Movement/fitness grounds me in the present moment. It connects me to my body in such a powerful way; helping me overcome weakness with strength and imbalance with stability. And that ability to transform on a physical level becomes a metaphor for mental and emotional transformation too. It's the reminder that anything is possible if you 1.) challenge yourself beyond your comfort zone 2.) apply consistent effort to your end goal 3.) hold onto the things that bring you grounding comfort.
Indie Girl Diary: writing prompt
No matter what's going on in my life, I feel most grounded and centered when __________.
Indie Girl-Talk: let's chat!
What gives you the strength and motivation to step outside of your comfort zone?
