I realized this week that I have been tenser, more stressed than usual. Why? Because recently I’ve been outside my comfort zone much more than I have been for a while.

I’ve spent a lot of my life outside my comfort zones. Sometimes I’ve pushed myself there. Sometimes other people have encouraged me. Either way, it’s been okay. No, it’s been more than okay.

I love adventure. I love learning. I love pushing my boundaries. But not always.

Sometimes I need my comfort zone too. For the last three years, I’ve been spending a lot of time in safe, comfort zones. More than normal for me.

Of course, there are a lot of good reasons for that – COVID being one of them. It’s actually been nice to take a break, relax and NOT push myself for a while.

However this year, I felt the urge to push outward again, to expand my boundaries and my comfort zone.

I started it all by writing a chapter in Significant Women: Leaders Reveal What Matters Most, and that has snowballed into meeting new people, getting involved with new projects, and taking big steps outside my comfort zone.

It’s all good, but it’s causing me stress. Ha!

The reality is that we can’t live stress-free lives.

Even good changes bring stress. Newness causes tension. Unfamiliarity creates that little ripple of nervousness in our spine. It’s okay. Our bodies are built to handle stress, to handle change, to adapt.

It’s when the stress becomes overwhelming and unending that it starts causing damage. That’s when we need to go back into our comfort zones for a while.

I’ve enjoyed my extended time in my comfort zone. It’s helped me relax, rediscover things that I love, reset my nervous system.

But I’m excited about doing new things again now. Yesterday, my co-writer and colleague Bridget recorded her podcast Brands Talk on which I am the guest. Now, THAT’S outside of my comfort zone.

It was a great experience. Lots of fun. I was a bit stressed and nervous about it though.

Yet these experiences are energizing me too. I feel more alive, more engaged.

I’m grateful for my time in my comfort zone. I know I need that. But it’s also fun and exciting to step out of that zone, to challenge myself, even if it comes with a little more stress.

Are you challenging yourself these days, my friend? Or do you need more time in your comfort zone?

I’m rediscovering the right balance between the two … for me. I hope you are too.

With light and love,

Photo by Greg Rosenke on Unsplash