Getting Out of My Comfort Zone

Lately, I’ve been challenging myself with learning new things. This hasn’t always been the case. It’s been one heck of a journey to get to this point. This girl, ten years ago, needed prompting to go out of town by herself.

Now, I plan trips close by and enjoy my own company. Growing up, my parents advised me to get a degree that I could always fall back on. That degree was a business degree which I have used since 1997 in one way or another.

I liked the fine arts. I still do, but I strayed from getting a Fine Arts degree. I took French in high school and college. I’ve always loved art and music. For some reason, I convinced myself at a young age that since I was pretty good at math, I wouldn’t be good in art. Don’t ask me why I had that correlation but I did.

Fast forward to a couple years ago and seeing an ad for a painting class in Sabetha. I knew no one, including the teacher. I signed up anyway. I walked in that room, was greeted and Connie had remembered my name ever since. But, being in that room has been so relaxing. The different pieces on the wall, the different forms of art she has on display. I love all of it.

Granted, I’m into guided art. I’m not that creative enough to draw or paint from my imagination. It is a step by step process and she’s helped me fix mistakes. That includes painting and pottery. I can’t wait until watercolor and paint pour. But I went out of my comfort zone to sign up, walk in a room where I knew no one, made mistakes, received her help, and came back for more.

I went out of my comfort zone when I went to a glass blowing experience in Holton. I picked out my object, colors, signed a waiver and back to the shop. It was so different than anything I had ever experienced and fascinated me. I’ve been back three times since December and will go again in May.

But the first two times, it was pretty hands off. The third and fourth times included hands on experience. That’s when I almost chickened out. She told me to sit where she was and I was inches from molten hot glass. But, I did it and made a paperweight and a flower with her instructions.

Going out of my comfort zone includes water aerobics. I have grown to love water aerobics which also encouraged me to tackle my fear of the deep end.

Just this past weekend, I went out of my comfort zone again and attended a self defense course. I kid you not — four hours of punching, kicking, getting out of holds, and one instance of taking a fall. We had a 15 minute break plus some water breaks during that time. I was sore but refreshed. Twenty years ago, I would have never done this.

Going out of my comfort zone has increased my confidence and I’ve met some pretty spectacular people along the way.