Throughout my life, I have also wanted to venture out. So far, that I never have to return to the life I was living because I knew where it would lead if I didn’t. So I was 23 years old when I packed my bags and moved to the other side of the world. Leaving the safety of my comfort zone.

Everyone thought it was brave, but I knew it was the only way to break free from the zone that was holding me back and find true happiness and harmony.

I had always heard that you needed to get out of your comfort zone, so packing my bag was the only thing I thought I could do. I did not realize my zone would follow me. Then I was taught that happiness lies within our comfort zones. So I must avoid discomfort at all costs because it will disrupt my sense of security and contentment.

I have been back for a long time now, and I still longed to venture out, hoping to finally break free.

It is a huge misconception to think that you need to break free from your comfy zone. Or that comfort equals safety, happiness, and harmony, while discomfort equals danger, unhappiness, and disharmony.

And the moment you feel these perceived feelings of danger, such as fear, guilt, unworthiness, hurt feelings, or even anger, you must abandon all thoughts of leaving your safe haven. But, deep down, I believed that you would be abandoning a part of yourself that needed to feel safe and secure. I do not believe it had to be either or.

In my experience, this way of thinking keeps you stuck where you do not want to be. You are choosing comfort over growth. You prefer the safety, security, and predictability of the familiar. You are missing out on valuable experiences and opportunities for growth.

You remain stuck and unable to make meaningful progress in both your personal and professional lives. You experience regret and unfulfilled potential. The worst part is that it robs you of your dreams. Leaving you wondering, “What if?”

This week in the MKE, they mentioned that:
Most people choose comfort, but comfort is a choice for no change. Your comfort zone will control you until you control it. I wholeheartedly believe it.

It is the key to a life filled with growth, resilience, and endless possibilities. There is no breaking free, stepping out, or jumping out. You breathe and expand. And you use those five uncomfortable perceived feelings of the fight-or-flight reactions as a tool to expand, knowing that you will experience uncomfortable, perceived feelings.

Recognize that being “uncomfortable” is part of the process. It is part of the growth of finding new ways to cope with being uncomfortable. Expanding means living on the edge of your comfort zone. Living on the edge is the path to personal and professional fulfillment.

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

Neale Donald Walsh