Sheryl Kraft

freelance health writer

Do You Ever Act Outside Your Comfort Zone?

Published in: , , , , ,

Perhaps I was a boy scout in a former life. I doubt it, though, since I quit Brownies after the very first meeting.

I guess it comes down to the fact that I am not a so-called “group” person…but somehow, somewhere the “be prepared” motto got drilled into my being.

Blame my own mother neuroses.

I’m always the one schlepping my sweater to the movies in the summer “just in case” the air conditioning is too cold.

Even though it is 98 degrees and muggy outside and all the air conditioning in the world couldn’t cool off a hot and sticky room. Perhaps it’s just because I’m being dumb and I actually need Air Conditioner Repair because it’s not working properly, who knows. Although, having said that I certainly missed it when it broke down for real on us last summer. Fortunately, I did the right thing and searched air conditioning Jacksonville fl in order to find a professional service rather than fix it myself.

I’m always the one throwing a baggie of nuts, a nutrition bar or a cheese stick into my bag, “just in case” I get hungry.

Even though I just finished lunch and I’m only going out for a few hours.

I’m always the one stocking up on extra toilet paper, “just in case” my favorite brand is discontinued.

Even though I’m fairly confident they’ve been manufacturing Scott toilet paper since toilet paper was invented.

I was beginning to bore myself with my self-preparedness. (Is that even a word?)

But the other day, when I was ready to go work out at the gym because it was muggy and hot and who-wants-to get-caught in-the rain-anyway, I abruptly changed my mind. Oh, what the hell, I thought, I’m gonna do something out of character. Why not? I’m old enough to start breaking some old patterns and change things around, dammit.

So I grabbed my IPod, laced up my sneaks and was out the door. (Okay. I should confess to this: before I left I did tune into the local TV station for a weather report. No rain until late in the day, the trusty weather person assured me.)

Little Voice in my Head: Hmmm…it looks really cloudy, like it could pour any second. Besides, since when are the weather reports accurate anyway?

Big(ger) Voice in my Head: What’s the worst that could happen, anyway? You’ll get wet. Big deal. Maybe it’ll cool you off.

Midway through my walk, I felt it. And then I felt it again. And then the raindrops became more persistent and steady.

Getting wet. So what? (Photos.com)
Getting wet. So what?
(Photos.com)

Tempted to turn around and retreat, I decided (again) to test my character and keep going. And I did.

A CVS loomed far in the distance. Save! I’d stop at the store and pick up one of those little mini umbrellas.

You’re probably wondering how I could do that without any money. I’m prepared — remember? Of course I not only was carrying some cold hard cash, I also had my credit card – two, actually – and my license “just in case.”

Instead, I ducked inside, looking around furiously for the nearest umbrella.

They were all sold out.

I turned to leave, part of me thinking that maybe this was a good thing, after all. An umbrella would not come to my rescue. I’d have to get wet. Simple as that. I was a good two miles from home and I wasn’t breaking down to call a cab – that much I was sure of.

But instead of needing an umbrella when I walked out the door, I needed sunglasses. The skies suddenly cleared and not a drop of rain lingered.

I did have those. Of course I did.

Perhaps next time I need to create a much bigger challenge than merely getting wet from some rain.

What have you done lately to move beyond your comfort zone?

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Comments

  1. Kathy @ SMART Living 365.com says

    Great reminder Sheryl….I too walk that thin line between over-preparedness and adventure on a regular basis. I had to laugh when you mentioned stocking up on Scott toilet tissue because my husband laughs at my obsession with making sure I have plenty on hand–my excuse of course is that I grew up in a household of four sisters and my mother routinely ran out of it–so I overcompensate for it now! But, every now and then I do try to consciously stop and consider why I tend to over-prepare and see if I can identify the cause of it…plus I tend to blog about certain issues if they pop up and recently wrote the blog post about safety…see link below…

  2. Cathy Chester says

    I love that you went outside of your comfort zone. You go, girl!

    I also pack baggies of almonds and raisins for my purse. I bring a little jacket (oh, I hated saying that. My mom always said that!) with me to the movies or restaurants. And so it goes.

    Outside of my comfort zone? The upcoming BlogHer. I’ve never roomed with anyone else aside from family, I’ve never been in a huge crowd miles from home. It will be fun and anxious at the same time. And I’m looking forward to every single minute. Though I wish you were going.

    Great blog post!
    P.S. I love typing on your blog. The letters are fab!

    • SherylK says

      “Bring a little jacket.” Yes! I remember my grandmother always telling me to do that. Maybe that’s where I get it from…
      I hope your upcoming trip to BlogHer far outpaces your expectations – I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time and be happy about moving outside your comfort zone. Wish I was going, too.

  4. Julie Phelps says

    I have the same habit of always being prepared, but I don’t think of it as an obsession – at least not yet!
    As for toilet paper, I see no good reason to not have excess on hand. It makes no sense to me that people wait until they’re down to the last roll.
    What about the possibility of being unable to drive to a store because of a winter storm, or similar? That is when the finger pointers will be appreciative of having an ample supply of toilet paper on hand.
    OK, I guess that does sound obsessive. But I can live with it. What I cannot live with is the possibility of running out.

  6. Sisters From Another Mister says

    It is funny how we are so specific about so many things that we do … that even the smallest change feels like we changed around our whole day. Like this morning, I was going to make toast and then ate cookies instead 😉 it was a good thing, I may do it again tomorrow.

  8. tbkilman says

    Great post! It’s fun to be spontaneous sometimes a walk in the rain can be wonderful. Also, I always wear shoes…going barefoot periodically and feeling the grass feels great.

  10. Nora says

    I’m way outside my comfort zone doing all that’s necessary to promote my book, Survive Your Husband’s Retirement as I have to ask people for favors and tell them what a great book I have written!

    • SherylK says

      There…look…you’ve just done it! Good luck with your book. I’m sure it’s tough to be your own advocate when it comes to that. What kind of favor do you need to spread the word?

  11. Rosalba Gordon says

    At my age (60 something), I’m taking basic computer classes… and I was sure that I’ll be the dumb one with no knowledge at all. To my surprise, I’m doing pretty well and enjoying it very much. It took me more that 30 years to decide to take the classes!

    • SherylK says

      Fabulous, Rosa! YOu are an inspiration. Maybe now you’ll start to take more classes that you’ve always wanted to take.

  12. Ellen Dolgen says

    Exactly, what is the worst thing that could happen..it rains! I often thought that walking in the rain could be a kick. I won’t even begin to tell you how much toilet paper is in my coat closet— luckily I don’t really need a coat here in Coronado. YIKES!!!! When I move out of my own way and out of my comfort zone, I find that great things happen!

    • SherylK says

      OK, Ellen, I want to hear back from you…promise you’ll tell me what you did since you read this to move out of that comfort zone! I’m sure you will have some good stories…

      • Ellen Dolgen says

        I am not very tech savvy……so I tend to repel anything that requires reading directions! Yesterday, I decided, what the heck…I can probably understand this thing…so I read the directions and figured it out without asking my husband! I may become a tech geek next!

        • SherylK says

          Yay for you. I’m the same way. I hate reading directions. The rare times I do, though, I feel so SMART and accomplished. Why don’t I do it more often??

  13. Maritza Martinez says

    It’s been so long that I haven’t got out of my comfort zone that I have forgotten how it’s done. When you talked about all the things you usually do, that could have been me. Big bags are the way to go for me so all my extra baggage can come with me anywhere and everywhere. You’ve inspired me to give it a try, but how would be the question? Great post!

    • SherylK says

      Maritza, I’m sure you’ll think of a way to do it. Start by not planning and being spotaneous..something always comes out of that. Good luck!

  14. Brette says

    I do all of the same things you do, but I also carry meds with me for a variety of things that could strike at any moment. You should see what I pack for vacation. It’s an entire suitcase of “what-ifs” I agree it’s important to go outside your comfort zone though and it’s something I need to work on!

    • SherylK says

      I guess I’m really not as alone as I thought. But with meds and vacations, you really do have to have your stash, I suppose.

  15. merr says

    Nice post. I purposefully am taking an entire week off my freelancing to work on some creative projects. It feels right yet it feels indulgent, but now that the week is approaching, I’m already considering when the next time I can do the same. Maybe it means I’m getting more comfortable in the place that was {formerly} outside my comfort zone??

  16. Kris says

    When my kids were little and grouchy and hard to be with, my motto was, “Let’s shake it up.” We’d get out of the house, do something different, and they’d be different people by the time we got home. Need to remember that *I* need to shake it up once in awhile!

  17. Deborah Davis says

    I loved this post. I can easily relate to your thought-processes.
    I too, grew up being reminded to always be prepared.
    In fact, I was a very good Girl Scout!
    As I grow chronologically-older, I am trying to grow mentally-younger, more flexible and spontaneous. I have made a pact with my mid-life self to regularly surprise myself. I do this by trying new things. Joining Meet-ups. Going dancing with girlfriends. Taking pottery classes. Traveling alone. Making friends with people who are different.
    By subjecting myself to new adventures, life feels fresh and sweet.

  18. ruth pennebaker says

    Provocative post. It makes me realize my husband of more than 40 years is the kind of guy who’s always pushed me beyond my comfort zone. Nice to have help when you’re from a family that abhorred risk-taking.

  19. Christinegl says

    I have been going way outside my comfort zone in promoting my new book. It’s uncomfortable for me, and I certainly would not have done it if I weren’t pushed to. I wish I could say this is a growth experience for me – to know I can go through something and push past my comfort zone and emerge stronger on the other side, but I don’t know that I have! If anything I feel more vulnerable. That said, it’s very comforting to read about other people pushing themselves in the way you have.

  20. Kerry Dexter says

    I’ve done a number of things across the years that reached outside my comfort zone at the time — traveling across the world by myself, living in different countries, and yes, running in the rain — just now I’m facing an unexpected need to move. is this outside my comfort zone? I would not have chosen it this way and in many aspects am feeling unprepared for the decisions that are coming up. so I’m remembering to ask, what does this make possible?

    • SherylK says

      Judging from the things you’ve done over the years (I’m especially impressed by traveling across the world solo!), I’d say you will bee able to face the upcoming challenges with grace and confidence, Kerry. Good luck to you.

  21. Jennifer Margulis says

    What have I done beyond my comfort zone?! Called a neighbor who left stuff on the roof of our storage shed and told him it had caused a leak. I did not want to do that, and it was uncomfortable for sure…

  22. Vera Marie Badertscher says

    I’m one of those over-prepared people, but I also take off and walk in the rain–or in the dark–which drives my husband nuts. But there certainly are other things I stay away from because I’m not so comfortable.

  23. Jane Boursaw says

    I’m an over-prepared person, too. I don’t think of it as being over-prepared, though, but rather prepared in the right amount of preparedness. It just makes it easier in the long run, and that seems like a good thing.

    Do I ever fall out of my comfort zone? Every day. I’m in the writing/website ownership business!

  24. Jeanine Barone says

    Since I”m a scientist by training, I’m very much into being prepared. But I’m also spontaneous and I delight in spontaneity and adventure, whether it’s hiking alone in Iceland or confronting a phobia. If I didn’t get out of my comfort zone, I wouldn’t be confronted with surprises, which I enjoy.

  25. Donna Hull says

    Stepping out of our comfort zones is so hard. But every time I’ve done it, the rewards have been amazing. It’s just deciding to take the first step that’s the painful part.

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