I have been continually moving outside my comfort zone for the past few years. Through my life as a Mom and my life as a creative being I have tried to grow even when it was uncomfortable. As a Mom that involves giving my 10 year old daughter the privelage of walking part of the way home from school by herself. We live in suburbia and everyone is bussed or driven to school. I hear all the time “Oh you’re the folks who walk to school.” Such a novelty even though we only live a 1/4 mile from the school. Even that little decision, filling out the paperwork for her to NOT ride the school bus but instead be a walker was a bit out of my comfort zone. I was doing something different which can feel uncomfortable. But I walk my dogs everyday rain, snow or sleet so the idea of walking was not unusual. And from the beginning it was a good decision. We talk and establish a better relationship with that extra time together and she has learned time management skills as well. I don’t think I have started a walking trend at our elementary school but that was never the point. The point was to do something important to me/us; exercise and teaching independence.
On the creative side I went outside my comfort zone when I decided to write a novel. I had written short stories and always felt i didnt have it in me to write a whole novel. I read a book on writing by Stephen King called “On Writing” and he said the beginning writer should write a 1000 words a day. That gave me a daily goal; an attainable goal and I took the novel writing one day at a time. and now I have a 80,000 word novel and I am going out of my creative zone repeatedly trying to find an agent for it. Oh sure, you’re thinking ‘I go out of mycomfort zone once and then look what happens. i have to just keep doing it over and over again!’ But what Ihave found is it gets easier and easier each time. I dont even think of the replies from agents as rejections. they are just not interested; not the right fit. I am a reader. I love to read but I don’t love everything and so I understand finding the right agent takes time. Besides they are usually really nice!
Going out of your comfort zone can be scary but it can also be liberating and exciting and frankly addicting! So, if there is something you have wanted to try but felt it was outside your comfort zone I say Go For it! You won’t regret it!
