This post contains gifted items
I’ve always loved the comfort zone. Especially within the last 6 or 7 years, when my Generalized Anxiety Disorder started. The comfort zone was somewhere I never wanted to stray from. And I don’t necessarily think a comfort zone is a bad thing. I remember Louise Pentland talking about how she likes her comfort zone too and I felt like, “Yes. Okay then. This is a normal feeling”.
We’re constantly bombarded with “inspirational quotes” about how life starts at the end of your comfort zone and everything you want is on the other side of your comfort zone, blah blah blah. I feel like my issue with inspirational quotes is another post for another time but you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Go onto Pinterest now and I bet you’ll see at least 3 quotes of a similar nature.
And whilst I get it – sort of – I’ve always been a bit reluctant to believe it. I think we’ve all been led astray and led to believe that in order to escape your comfort zone, you need to do something big and drastic. Like quit your job, move country, change your name and never look back *eye rolls*. Which, not only is a thousand percent unrealistic and not doable for the majority of people. It’s also not true.
I like to think of the comfort zone as concentric circles. They get bigger and bigger and bigger the further outwards you go. And that’s kind of like a comfort zone. The things get scarier and scarier and scarier the bigger they are. But don’t forget, there’s a lot of other, smaller, less daunting circles for you to experiment with too.
We’re all so different and something someone would consider out of their comfort zone, might be an absolute piece of cake to someone else. And this is where we get into the point about how important it is not to judge yourself against other people. Just because that person is comfortable posing in their underwear and you’re not, has absolutely no correlation.
Now, as someone with anxiety, I gotta say my comfort zone is pretty tight. I like all my things being in the right place. I like my own bed. I like my routine. I like having a plan and knowing exactly what everyone is doing every day of the week. Coupled with being a Type A personality AND a Virgo. Well, you can imagine I’m pretty rigid to put it bluntly.
But this year, I DO feel like I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone. I do feel like I’ve learnt more about a lot of things this year already than I have for a long time. I feel like I’ve turned a corner. I feel like I’m growing up. And I feel like I’m slowly leaving the comfort zone behind. But not too far behind. Because I still enjoy coming back to it whenever I can.
To some people, these might seem like the most insignificant things in the world. But this year I have:
Experimented a lot more with outfit photos: This is where the images within this post come in. I’ve always hated photos of myself. Especially within my 20’s (I loved how I looked in my late teens but alas, things change). I’ve always felt awkward in front of the camera and just felt like a great, big, dollop. Basically.
So taking outfit shots has always been a bit anxiety-provoking for me. However, that’s something I’ve definitely been stepping out of my comfort zone to do a lot more this year! I was contacted by LILYLULU about featuring one of their items within a blog post and I instantly fell in love with their tulle skirts.
I’ve never wore or owned a tulle skirt before so again, this was something else quite far out of my comfort zone. The skirt I chose was this one and as soon as I put it on, I fell in love. It made me feel like an actual fairy – I never, ever, wanted to take it off. It’s super comfy too- the waist band hugs you tightly but not too tightly and the material is surprisingly soft and not at all itchy. Considering it’s affordable price, it’s really great quality too!
Started taking medication for my anxiety: This is something I put off for literally 7 years. I was well and truly on my high horse about taking medication for my anxiety and I was terrified of the potential side effects. But earlier this year, after a severe bout of health anxiety, the nurse and the GP said I needed to. And honestly? It’s the best thing I’ve ever done for my anxiety.
Started a worry management workshop: Along with the medication, I was also referred back to CBT. Which I had years ago but found it didn’t really work at the time. But, things have changed, so I’m willing to try again. Except this time, I opted for a group workshop, instead of 1-on-1. Which is SERIOUSLY out of my comfort zone! And it was the best decision I could have made.
Been on my first overnight press trip: In January, I was sent on my first ever overnight press trip for my blog to the Brooklands Hotel which not only was an incredible experience but also something I never thought I had the guts to do! Then, in March, I had another press visit to West Stow Pods!
Changed up my photography and editing style: I’ve always hated taking blog photos and you’ll have noticed within the last half of year, my blog has used primarily stock photos. And whilst a lot of my content suffices with stock photos, when it comes to product shots and things, I’ve finally found a photography and editing style that I adore. And it’s so different to what I’d usually do. See an example of that here!
How have you stepped out of your comfort zone this year?
* This post contains gifted items. All thoughts and opinions are my own.