I decided that it was about time that I write a new blog post. The husband has been rolling his eyes that I’m paying for a WordPress subscription, I don’t use. To be fair to him, my last post was from a year ago. I love writing, but I can only write if I’m sufficiently inspired and honestly I’ve been stuck in a bit of a rut when it comes to writing.

This year I have been navigating change. A new city, a new home, a career jump from a fellow to a consultant, new friends, new hobbies and a new hustle to life.

As far as I can remember, I’ve always been pushed out of my comfort zone. Either by choice or by compromise.

Moving from Oman to Goa, then Madurai, now Mumbai and then onwards?

It’s always been difficult at first, I’d wonder if I’d be able to push myself, excel and achieve my goals. I’d regret my decision multiple times when things went south and feel proud of myself when things went well.

At times I’d long to be in my comfort zone. A mental image of warm chocolate cake, a good book and a cup of coffee pops up in my mind when I think of a comfort zone. A home where I don’t need to worry about domestic chores or a surgery that I’m so comfortable doing that I don’t have to think twice.

The comfort of driving my own car, on a familiar road without Mumbai traffic pops up.

And at these points, I feel annoyed, and I feel like I’ve given up comfort to struggle again. But I forget that the ‘comfort zone’ has two definitions.

One which is, “A situation where one feels safe or at ease”.

And the second which is, “A settled method of working that requires little effort and yields only barely acceptable results”.

So, you cannot have one without the other. As human beings, we all aim for extraordinary lives and stepping out of our comfort zone is the only way to do so. Remind yourself of this when it gets confusing and you’re wondering if it was all worth it.

Because one year down the line, I’m loving myself (and the husband) for pushing me out of this comfort zone. I’m enjoying the challenges and can see the growth I’ve made in becoming the person I want to be, both professionally and personally.

So now, when I’m travelling in public transport, preparing for a new surgery, doing some household chores or painting, I remind myself that while the comfort zone is a beautiful place, nothing really ever grows there.

To all my wonderful friends who are in a similar situation and doing amazing things, scary but amazing, out of their comfort zones, I am proud of you and the person you’re becoming.

I’ll end with Erin Hanson’s beautiful poem that never ceases to inspire me.

“There is freedom waiting for you.

On the breezes of the sky,

And you ask, What if I fall?

Oh but my darling, what if you fly?”