Growth ~ Stretching Beyond Comfort

Jessi Elliott
Mar 29, 2022
3 min read

Dear Thoughtful Leader, Conscious Creative, Mindfulness Practitioner,

I think it’s time to reassess the parameters of our comfort zone. We can do better right? Even when things are good, there’s always room to grow and transform. We can stretch beyond what we consider to be familiar to experience refreshing scenery, cultivate an evolutionary mindset, and broaden our circle of friends, teachers, etc. Even in our ‘new normal’ there’s a difference between willingly taking on expansion for mind, body, and spirit versus solely adapting to survive the environmental changes we’re experiencing today. Yes, things have gotten a bit weird! But, couldn’t this also be a really good time to reevaluate our desires and goals in life? Maybe you’ve already dipped into some new hobbies and revisited your ‘bucket list’ and maybe that sparked something within you. Kudos to you, keep up that momentum and share your wisdom! So, what’s the point I’m trying to get at here? A friendly reminder: Let’s create and cultivate harmony between a healthy daily routine as well as shake it up a bit every now and then. Stretching beyond our comfort zone is not a one time thing, it’s a process and a practice. Here’s how I do it: In my twenties, I created a ‘Why Not?!’ list. I guess you can say it’s my version of a bucket list. I’ve gotten used to folks asking me, “Why?” when I’d share with them some of my life goals that sounded to them to be too much or too odd. My reply would usually start with, “Why Not?!” and ever since, I’ve been adding to and checking off what I call my ‘Why Not?!’ list. This list contains local and exotic places to explore, diverse ways to learn new skills, various fields of interests to further my personal study and practice, as well as activities to share quality time with friends and family. When I feel like things have become overly mundane or predictable, I look at this list and choose an experience. I had no idea that what I was doing was my own version of what is known to be ‘the learning zone’. In a book entitled Welcoming the Unwelcome, Pema Chodron talks about a psychology model invented by Lev Vygotsky and further developed by an educational group called PassageWorks. The model depicts three zones that Pema relates to a Buddhist principle and practice known as the Three Jewels. The three zones include the comfort zone, the learning zone, and the excessive risk zone. Pema explains that our comfort zone can be helpful because it is where we seek refuge. However the downside to this zone is that our growth can be stunted if we choose to rely heavily on being comfortable and avoid challenges. She shares how the learning zone is where the growth happens. She writes, “Situations that used to arouse fear and nausea become easier to relax in.” Finally, there’s the excessive risk zone in which Pema describes as too challenging to nurture growth. She makes a point to tell the reader, “Everyone’s three zones are very personal to them. One person’s excessive risk zone can be another person’s learning zone.” Let’s contemplate, review, and practice...

Practice ~ Learning Zone Activities

Set Aside 10 Minutes To:

Contemplate On Your Comfort Activities: Think about some of the activities you gravitate towards to soothe and comfort you. Remember to practice non judgement here. You’re just reviewing what seems to be a second nature calling for relaxation, stress relief, and passing of time. Examples: Social media, tv shows, movies, drinking, smoking, eating, working out, nature walks, chatting with loved ones, etc.
Choose Your Learning Zone Activities: What are some activities that you can introduce into your life that would take you outside of your comfort zone? These can be actions, behaviors, and thought patterns that take a little more effort but they’re most likely leading towards growth and transformation.

It can help to start with a Comfort Zone Activity and consider its Learning Zone version. Example: Every Friday night I eat out with a few friends (comfort zone). This week I’m encouraging my friends to extend an invitation to another one of their friends to enjoy a potluck dinner together at home. Repeat Steps 1 & 2 Every Day For 1 Week

Learn More

“The interesting thing is that the more willing you are to step out of your comfort zone, the more comfortable you feel in your life. Situations that used to arouse fear and nausea become easier to relax in." - Pema Chodron Read more about embracing change, overcoming obstacles, and living with mindfulness in today’s world: Check Out This Book → Welcoming the Unwelcome By Pema Chodron