@Patty, thanks for sharing your NYC story. I myself wouldn’t be caught dead in stilettos (I have balance issues!) so of course, you have permission to wear stylish flats (just as I’ll be wearing chunky boots). You bring up a great point. That when we venture out of our comfort zone and things don’t work out as planned, the adventure itself, the process, is something to relish and celebrate.

@adventures of the fearless, thanks for the compliment and for visiting!

@amit, yeah, often we don’t know how valuable an experience stepping beyond our comfort zone will be. We hear about it, we talk about, but we won’t know how great it is until we do it. Thanks for the visit!

@Madeleine (same spelling as Madeleine Albright!), nice to see you around here! That must’ve been a bit like what stand-up comedians do. It’s something I admire a lot (as I love to laugh) but never think I could do. Maybe one day…

@Ben, you have a way of really making me feel good about writing these posts. I am very happy to know that I’ve helped you a little bit. As always, thank you.

@Liberty, how exciting! I hope you let me know how it turns out!

@Malo, ha! Say yes to adventures, husbands and new experiences!

@LPC, thanks so much for sharing what I gather to have been a really challenging experience for you. And it sounds like you learned a lot from it which brings me to my point, similar to Patty’s point, that when we venture out of the comfort zone, we might not enjoy every moment of it but we can’t help but but learn from the experience.

@Justin, I hear the call of restlessness.

@Jeffrey, to add to your thought, the interactive nature of social media enhances creativity, I think, yet on the other hand, Patty raises an interesting point — is social media just another way to veg out?

@Ideas with a Kick – isn’t it interesting that wherever we are, we’d rather be somewhere else? It reminds me of that one Seinfeld episode.

You could say that personal growth depends upon expanding your comfort zone. If you push yourself, you may well surprise yourself! I know I did last year when i entered a humorous speech contest. To experience a roomful of poeople laugh with delight over and over changed my idea of what I can do. What a thrill!

Of all your posts this might be my favorite.I had to look at myself instead of others. And I realized something, which is that my comfort zone is being a complainer. I always thought of it as being someone who stood up for what I believe, which is still true, but I see there can be a way it becomes “comfortable”. I am comfortable pointing fingers, maybe not so comfortable pointing a finger at myself.
I am resolving to complain better, learn how to do communicate difficult feelings without necessarily turning it into confrontation.
I will still stand strong for my convictions, please do not misunderstand. But I will be better if I get out of the comfort zone of simply looking at others and telling them what they do wrong.

One of my co-workers invited me to a formal party. I did say “yes, I’ll go”. Then later I learned that she actually wants to introduce me to a guy. I felt uncomfortable…but anyway I borrowed a formal dress from my sister and decided to get out of the comfort zone…hehehe.

The last time I ventured out of my safety net, I met my husband I wonder what’s going to happen if I go all out again? A new job? Not a bad idea!

Amit