This Year Has Pushed me so Far Out of my Comfort Zone.
My birthday is next week, and whenever it comes around, I always think about my year and all that has happened. When I think about the last year, uncomfortable is what comes to mind. It was a year that pushed me so far out of my comfort zone.
But…it was also the best year of my life. Funny how that works.
I had a pregnancy that was in no way planned by me. Uncomfortable.
I lived alone for two months while Chris did his away rotations. Uncomfortable.
I signed up to live wherever a random algorithm decided we were going to live. Uncomfortable.
I spent a lot of the year having no idea what the next month, let alone the next year, was going to look like. Uncomfortable.
And plenty of other things. Stuff that I really never saw coming. I’m not one to label entire years like that, but really, the entirety of this one was pretty clearly uncomfortable.
But it was also the best ever.
Having the happiest baby join our family and just fit right in? The best.
Finding out that hard work and sacrifice really does pay off, this time in the form of getting to live in Florida? The best.
Waking up one day and realizing that I am truly in love with my life? The best.
Every year before my birthday, I look at who I am and how that’s different than it was last year. I have to say, I really like the version of myself that I became this year. I became more flexible. Less anxious. I became aware of the fact that I can do hard things. I became more open. More vocal. Less of a doormat. I became a mom. I changed in a few big ways and a thousand tiny ones.
I really love this version of my life. I love where my life is right now, and I love where it’s headed. And I know that none of that would be the way that it is if I would have had a cushy, comfortable year.
All in all, I think it’s a pretty good trade.
What good things have come from being pushed out of your comfort zone?
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This is great! I definitely agree that sometimes being pushed out of our comfort zones is what it takes for us to actually try something new and venture out. And in the end we learn that just because it seems scary at first doesn't mean we should run the other way. Have a great weekend, girl! š
What an awesome post! It just goes to show that stretching yourself brings about great things!
I love this. Discomfort has been the theme of my year, too. I'm still in the thick of some hard things, but it HAS grown me so much, and I'm grateful for that.
Sometimes you have to push yourself out of your comfort zone in order to reap the biggest rewards. Sometimes you are pushed out of your comfort zone without your permission. But sometimes, that is just what you needed.
Happy Early Birthday! I am so glad that everything worked out for you guys with Florida!
First off, happy almost birthday!
Secondly, this post is wonderful. Your writing and way of sharing your emotions through your journey of the past year has been inspiring to read! I know I've had a horrible attitude through about 90% of the changes I've gone through this year (moving, new jobs, etc., etc.), and every morning coming to read your blog has been a reminder that focusing on the grumpiness or sadness or whatever ISN'T WORTH IT! So thanks for all your posts and raw writings š
This is a great reminder!!! I hate being pushed out of my comfort zone.. my first pregnancy was that too. I got pregnant quickly, before I was ready and had to be really pushed out of my comfort zone with the whole thing! Now I can't imagine not having our 4-year-old. š
Sometimes being pushed out of your comfort zone leads to the best results! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
This blog has come by being pushed out of my comfort zone…it was a step outside of the writing I'm used to and I love every second of what has come from me taking risks. Love this!
I was just thinking yesterday how some of my favorite moments where completely unplanned and out of my comfort zone. Life is insanely beautiful in those times.
Yes to all of this! Some of the best experiences of my life stemmed from jumping (or being pushed) outside of my comfort zone!
I think being pushed out of our comfort zones is the only way to better ourselves!
Being out of the comfort zone is UNCOMFORTABLE…but it's also a place of tremendous growth.
Cheers to a great year ahead for you!
Happy almost-birthday! And you're right, being pushed out of a comfort zone can result in the BEST. I had to say goodbye to my job as a teacher (uncomfortable) and now I am staying home with the little baby that I couldn't possibly love more (the best!). š
Such a sweet post about growth.
My birthday is next week toooooooooo!
Birthdays make me reflect on the past year too much more than January 1st does.. and this past year was also my best year ever. So many firsts which makes things uncomfortable, BUT uncomfortable is also usually exciting and fun =)
I think we grow so much when we're pushed out of our comfort zone! I know I did this year being away from friends and family. Nothing better than being in love with life. š
I love that you take the time each year to reflect on where you were, where you are, and everything in between. I seriously want to try to do this. I'm glad so many uncomfortable moments brought so many amazing and wonderful experiences to your life.
"Sometimes life doesn't have to be classically good to be the best…" Yes and yes my friend! What a year for you! Happy almost birthday!
YES to everything! I am working on getting out of my comfort zone this year. I'll be 28 and I had this like epiphany one day that I need to just live, you know? Everything I've planned or had an "idea" of almost never turns out lol, so why not just live as it's happening. I'm making no sense lol. Sorry. My blog comments are always like me pounding on the keyboard going, "YOU GO GIRL" to everyone. But really, you go girl.
That's a great quote! I'm so glad things life is changing in such great ways. I similarly feel uncomfortable often, and have to ask myself why I feel the urge for things to go back to the way they were, but really it's just a period of getting used to changes. That are actually good for you! Silly brain, life would be so boring without change.
If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that life never goes according to plan. Usually, the unplanned is better than you'd ever expect!
I seriously can't stress enough how much I love the positivity of your blog posts! I've been pushed right out of my comfort zone this year when I moved across the pond to Berlin!
PRAISE HANDS. This is literally my mantra from living abroad. I love this! <3
My family is a pretty firm believer that the best life is often lived outside of your comfort zone. It's such a big part of who we are that one of my sister's will regularly ask everyone, "What are you doing that's outside of your comfort zone?" I have to say that the job I'm currently in (and have been for almost two years) is still outside of my comfort zone, but it's also the best. Glad to hear you've had such an amazing year, even if it was uncomfortable. š