COMFORT ZONES . . .

I can't believe I'm writing about "comfort zones." Partly, because I'm not sure I actually believe in them.

Consider this: Practically any article you read about improving a skill or learning a new something-or-other includes the advice, "Get outside your comfort zone!"

• The underlying message is: Change Equals Success.

Really??

Hmm. Looks like we'll have to explore what, exactly, a comfort zone is. Here are some stray thoughts:

• staying in the same pattern of behavior that you've occupied for, well, forever
• not trying a new way of doing something when the old way suits you just fine, thanks very much
• rejecting help with a task you've done by yourself for so long you never even considered getting help
• ignoring recommendations by friends and relatives ("Just try this once! It's brilliant!") 
• Such enthusiasms mostly strike me as trying to palm off something the friend or relative doesn't want. Even if it's only an opinion or something quite innocuous. Just saying.
• even if it doesn't cost me any money, I'm not prodigal with my time

Okay, that's some of the downside, to my way of thinking. Now let's look at what we might--emphasis on might--reap as a reward.

• a pleasant surprise--a new way of doing the same-old-same-old may turn out to be easier, quicker, and more satisfying
• finding a new friend/colleague/partner who is interested in the same thing; exploring stuff together can take some of the sting of the unknown out of the project (and any possible failures along the way to Success)
• finding your friend or relative's enthusiasm (see above) is more valid than you first thought

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Even though I'm not willing to waste my time with something that I'm fairly sure won't work out for me--any group exercise program is right at the top of that list--I can at least explore what's involved. That may take only a gander at an online video. Or it could mean a trip to a store or shop or museum or library--where I might get other inspiration, just not the one I was meant to get.

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In thinking about this topic, I had an epiphany: Just what exactly IS my comfort zone?

And the answer is--I don't know!! Thinking about it even more, I don't recall a time I was ever IN a comfort zone. My life isn't constant turmoil, you understand, but there have been so many times of change and starting over, that getting settled into a way I can call "comfortable" doesn't appear to have happened. Or if it did happen, it didn't stay. Or just maybe, I didn't notice!

So I thought a little longer.

Comfort zones come in all kinds and sizes. Here are a few examples:

• artistic - I like trying out new things. If it's too expensive, too messy, or just too "not me," I'll know fairly soon.
• Otherwise, I've come up with some delightfully fun ways to paint or make greeting cards because I didn't stay with what I already knew. Yes, I'll admit, some things end up in the bin, but I always wait a day or two before discarding them. (You'd be surprised how good something looks later on.)
• personal - since I'm not a very social being, you won't find me at a large gathering, exchanging email addys or making plans to have coffee/wine/dinner sometime soon. I'm also not a fan of social media. But I occasionally venture out of my cave (I mean, house) and mingle with other folks. That's called leaving my comfort zone, in my book. (In case you wondered.)
• financial - I list this one because it seems as if so many of us are pinching pennies these days (I love that old-fashioned term, pinching pennies). Stepping out of our comfort zone with our hard-earned bucks can be the slippery slope to disaster. 
• It's not only retirees who have these concerns; young families, singles, all sorts of folks have to pay attention.
• As an aside--to step outside my comfort zone financially, I'd have to hit the casino with a fistful of cash. That would be so far out of my comfort zone, you'd never see me again.

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Rather than calling a new way of acting/thinking "outside my comfort zone," I prefer calling it exploration, or even experimentation. Both these types of behavior are temporary by their nature. 

Some of the artists I follow on YouTube or on their own websites make a point of continual growth by exploring new ways to express their ideas in paint or other media. They experiment, sometimes with good results, sometimes with something bin-worthy. But they continue to try new things, to grow in their art. Outside their comfort zone? Perhaps.

I think the bottom line might go something like this:

• If you don't try something new, you'll never know what might have happened.
• Or, change is what leads to growth.

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Step outside my comfort zone? Why--guess what? I just did! I wrote about a subject that isn't anywhere near to being dear to my heart, but I did explore some thoughts. Wasn't too painful, either.

Good luck with any explorations you make outside that circle you call your Comfort Zone.

Blessings,

Thursday's Child

This is definitely outside
my comfort zone!