Many people are born and bred in comfort. They wallow daily in the gentle embrace of peaceful ease, where there is seldom anything to worry about. Some may liken this to a bed of roses but this isn't always the case.
There are some people who find so much solace in their comfort zone, so much so that they fail to see beyond their noses. Then, there are others who, even when in their comfort zones, feel like something is missing. Again, it's usually a case of perspective and self-discovery.
Leaving one's comfort behind can be a profoundly transformative experience. This simply means stepping away from the familiar and safe spaces and actually venturing into uncertainty. It's a conscious choice to embrace discomfort because growing rarely happens inside our comfort zones.
Without a doubt, many people would choose the security that accompanies comfort zones rather than the vulnerability that comes with discomfort. But, when we cling too tightly to comfort, we greatly limit ourselves. This way, we close our eyes, minds and hearts to possibilities because of the fear of failure, fear of change or possibly the fear of the unknown.
How would you know if you don't try?
An artist wouldn't know if they're good at what they do until they try, neither would an athlete or a fashion designer. Then again, we may not always get it right at the first try and this is the part where people get discouraged. You hear things like “I'm not good at this” Or “I'm a failure”. No darling, you're not a failure, you're not just willing to face discomfort.
A few years ago, indecisiveness governed my being. I couldn't decide whether or not to hone a craft my best friend had introduced to me. Choosing to be lazy seemed like a more appealing option but I made a conscious effort to step out of my comfort zone. Amidst the discouragement, the indecisiveness, the second guessing and every other bad thing you could think of, I persisted. All the love and support I got from family, hivians, and friends fueled me. Even when I didn't know what I was doing, I forged ahead.
This would always be one of my favourite “stepping out of your comfort zone” narrations because a few years down the line, it was all worth it. I've learnt, I've grown, I've connected with fellow amazing crochet artists and above all, I proved to myself that by enduring and persevering, one can always make their dreams a reality.
This post is not meant to be motivational but rather to express clarity because despite all the effort and perseverance, some people still don't succeed in their endeavors. However, this does not necessarily mean complete failure, because along the way, valuable experience is gained and experience is often the best teacher.
This post is written I respond of the #iucontest prompt for this week which can be found here. Do not hesitate to turn in your entries.