I would say that is our life right now, learning all the variances of Parkinson's even though it is completely uncomfortable and unwanted. Anyone who has a degenerative disease or who is headed into tricky surgery has that experience. But being out of your comfort zone is more than health. It is the tricky voice of discontent in social situations or when you challenge yourself physically. It is living a life where abuse is the norm and extracting one's self from that situation; abuse is known, freedom isn't. And in today's tech world I am sure comfort zones are challenged on a daily basis when people have to talk face to face rather than text. Adding body language and voice to a thought has become an uncomfortable pattern in our world.
A comfort zone is a place of safety, it's routine. Changing up routine can be daunting throwing one into an uncomfortable place.
One such experience for me was hiking on a cold snowy day to Margy's Hut, one of the wilderness 10th Mountain Division Huts. Just the decision to join the group was a challenge for me. I had never backpacked and knew little of what to expect. 8 hours skiing UP hill and my comfort zone was blown up!
"Margy's Hut is located on a lightly treed hillside just below timberline at 11,300', about 10 miles northeast of the city of Aspen, Colorado. The hut has beautiful views of the Elk Mountains to the south."
Saying yes to the adventure of a lifetime (for me at any rate) was both difficult and simple. I had never carried 30lbs on my back or skied uphill or been to such heights of elevation. As the youngest person on the trip, I still honed my priorities and demanded to be last in the shuffle of 13 skiers; I am so grateful I did! I definitely had to work at every step for the last 4 hours. It was far less embarrassing to do this in private at the end of the line. We had not thought to fly into Utah/ Colorado elevation from the meager 75' of Vermont a few days early. With no adjustment it was a slog, no gliding for this girl. Truly, look at my face and tell me I don't look exhausted.
I am happy to say, I am so thankful I did not cower from the challenge. Had I done that I would never have experienced backcountry skiing in such a remote place, or built a quincy hut complete with decending door, air hole and learn of the warmth a small candle could shed. I would not have tele skied a mountain meadow surrounded by massive snow peaks, been a participant in a healing with shamans, learned what Goldschlager was (ummmm) or had the pleasure of the ultimate outhouse, door open to a vista of undeniable magnificence.
That unbelievable adventure has followed me for the many years, maintaining a grip that fosters chance. Change and growth as a person does not happen in comfort zones. That is one time that has pushed me to believe I should try things even when I am hesitant. Bottom line. Make change. You will be changed.
Can you think of a defining time where you challenged your comfort zone?