When it's time to move forward...

“A comfort zone is a familiar place, but nothing ever grows there.”

A comfort zone can exist mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, or on any combination of these levels. In this state, a person is usually content; everything feels familiar and safe, and they feel in control of their environment, experiencing little to no stress and a steady level of satisfaction. I always know when I’m in a comfort zone because, during that time frame, life pretty much stays the same. I know what to expect each day because I know my thought patterns, daily routines, habits, choices, and all the comfortable emotions that come with it. The beginning stage of a comfort zone can feel so comforting that changing things up never seems like an option. However, as time passes and I get caught up in my comfort zone, I get bored. Life becomes stagnant. I start to feel like I’m missing out on life because I’m making choices that keep me doing and experiencing the same things every day. This comfortable, content living space can feel good for now, but being stuck in a comfort zone limits expansion and growth. Nothing changes; if nothing changes, we can't reach our full potential by living in a way that doesn’t let us grow and experience more from life. A comfort zone is where we don’t take risks or take action because we feel satisfied with how things are going and where we are in life, but this can also come from fear of change or the unknown. We spend a lot of time in our comfort zone, but staying there too long will likely leave you feeling like you’re living a life that isn't moving forward. The beautiful thing about a comfort zone is that you can shift out of it whenever you choose.

Here are three steps to take when you’re ready to shift out of your comfort zone.

1. MINDSET: Everything starts with our mind and way of thinking. When you want to shift out of your comfort zone, the first step is acknowledging that you’re in one. Once we realize we are in a comfort zone, we can decide it’s time to change.

2. MAKE PLANS AND CREATE GOALS: When you decide to shift out of your comfort zone, you will open up space in your life. You will have time for other things, so making plans and setting goals is a must. You will need to fill that newly available space with more beneficial things to do so you don't fall back into the same routine and old ways of being that put you back in your comfort zone.

3. TAKE ACTION: Once you have made plans and created new goals, it’s time to implement them. Start taking the steps needed to move forward. Once you start taking steps toward a new way of living, you'll build new habits. These habits will lead to expansion and growth and help you move away from any comfort zones holding you back from fully expressing yourself and living life to your fullest potential.

8/1/22