It's been a good, solid 3 months since I've been a bit uncomfortable (read: started a new graduate program that I know very little about after my last one was a dumpster fire). It got me thinking how regularly (or irregularly) situational discomfort occurs and when the last time I did something that made me uncomfortable or even a little afraid. I don’t mean by being irresponsible and putting myself in danger, but rather by going outside of my comfort zone. It doesn't have to be that crazy either- it can be as simple as trying new foods, traveling to a different country, signing up for a race, or starting a PhD program.
Reminiscing on the other times my comfort zone was challenged in the not-so-distant past: I had the cheek-biting, obsessively overthinking jitters days leading to my departure on the Long Trail in Vermont, having never done a solo backpacking trip before. Then, early this year when Casey and I biked across the United States with no prior experience of overnighting on a bicycle. Sleeping outside in -30 F degree weather to get better at winter camping and hiking up the trap dike in the Adirondacks were two others that snuck into the 2022 calendar year.
I should emphasize, doing something scary should not occur because you are ill-equipped and underprepared. It's important to be safe, but, man, it could be terrifying.
Going outside your comfort zone will be scary.
Maybe you’re traveling to a new place, and you’re not sure what to expect. Maybe you’re trying out a new piece of gear, and you hope that it works out. Or maybe you’re just joining a new outdoor group for the first time, and you’re wondering how you will fit in.
The theme to all of these is novelty or irregularity. It's outside of your comfort zone, and you don’t know what to expect. You also might not have the confidence to perform well yet, and it’s nerve-wracking. When you leave your comfort zone, you may or may not be successful, and not knowing which way it’s going to go can be unsettling. Maybe the tent leaks on your first camping trip, maybe you get blisters trying out new boots, or maybe you have to stop early and turn around because you simply can’t do it anymore. Or maybe your 24 hr bike rides ends in an epic failure after a 2 AM bike crash. Regardless:
2. Failing is okay!
No matter the reason, experimenting with your physical and mental boundaries is an essential way to learn about yourself. The more you do something, the easier it will get, and the more familiar and comfortable it will become. When you fail, it means you have tried for something challenging and have learned something important.
3. You will learn about what you like and dislike.
Try new things, and try them often. The majority of moments of growth and learning happen when you get thrown into the deep end. Things go wrong, you learn the hard way (I will never eat a grilled cheese mid-bike ride again), and you might be in a terrible mood, but you’ve just grown. You can discover your limits and start to push them!
4. Your comfort zone will change.
By leaving your comfort zone, you will achieve things you haven't before, and, while it might be scary and stressful at first, it will certainly be worth it. Learn more about yourself and what you're capable of, test your limits, and push the boundaries of what makes you comfortable. There is so much to discover.
24 hr bike ride, I'm coming for you again!
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