Finding the Right Spot for Growth

Take Pen to Paper: Edition 73

“Comfort is your biggest trap and coming out of your comfort is your biggest challenge.” -Manoj Arora

Is doing a new activity for the first time ever easy? I’ve written about how hard I find it to experience new adventures alone (“Going At It Alone”). They are still out of my comfort zone.

In this newsletter:

1. We are filled with doubt.

2. Choosing discomfort.

3. Finding the place for growth.

Stepping Into The Unknown

A few weeks ago, I sat down for the first watercolor class in a series of six. This was my second series of watercolor classes. It was Jackie’s first.

After a year, the class is full of familiar faces for me. Jackie sat by me, so I introduced myself and the others at the table. Jackie was unfamiliar with watercolor and had never taken a class. She was doubtful and appeared uncomfortable. I understood how she felt. I was in the same spot just a year ago.

At the end of class, Jackie expressed disappointment in her painting. She wasn’t sure she would come back the next week.

I encouraged her, knowing that the first experience may not be the best. After my first, I swore off watercolor.

Can you choose discomfort?

Photo by S.G.S. Abel

My creator friend, Brian To, recently posted this on Twitter/X:

Brian summarizes what all creators go through, even if you are creating for fun like me.

It’s difficult to sit in your discomfort when trying a new endeavor. What will others think? Who are you doing it for? Are you wasting your time?

If you’re lucky, at some point, you realize few if any, others are looking. (In fact, you must work for their attention.) Working for something you really want is worth the discomfort you feel. In Brian’s case, it was to write, edit, and publish (he uses the word ‘ship’).

Finding a place for growth.

You know you must leave your comfort zone to grow. So, how do you find the courage to choose discomfort?

It takes self-knowledge and practice. The trick is as you grow comfortable, which signals growth, you must move more into discomfort for more growth. You constantly need to push into discomfort.

I was recently listening to a guided meditation practice with Lama Rod Owens. In it, he phrased his meditation position as “one that allows you to feel both comfort and discomfort.” It sounded like pausing while stepping, with one foot in comfort and the other in discomfort.

Isn’t that what we need to do with new experiences? While standing on a see-saw with comfort on one side and discomfort on the other, we must slowly lean into the discomfort, just far enough not to lose our balance.

Sitting by Jackie, I spoke encouraging words to her. I told her how I felt after my first watercolor class and how I hoped to see her the following week. I was disappointed when she didn’t come. It wasn’t her time to lean into discomfort.

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Next month’s art classes start a series on drawing. I’ll be stepping into discomfort again. That’s a good thing. I’m ready to grow some more.

Photo by S.G.S. Abel

7 Days, 7 Thoughts on Gratitude and Good:

1. The two pictures show resurrection ferns growing on oak trees in New Orleans. The first is before rain, and the second is after. I love that resurrection ferns come ‘alive’ with some rain, from discomfort to comfort. Check this site for more information on this fascinating fern. 🌱

2. If you would like to listen to the Happiness Break on which I heard Lama Rod Owens, you can find it here.

3. Here is a list of 18 tips for stepping out of your comfort zone. Let’s take a look at numbers 14 and 18.

4. Item 14 in the Forbes list is, “Remember what you want to achieve.” I’m grateful to have the goal of starting a newsletter about journaling. Even after 18 months of writing this newsletter, starting a new one was a scary step.

5. Item 18 in the Forbes list is, “Bring along something familiar.” Which reminded me of my 6-year-old granddaughter taking her teddy bear to her first piano recital. It sat by the music book and shared its encouragement. 🎹

   

   Photo by S.G.S. Abel

6. I’m grateful for friends like Brian To, who remind me none of us are on our journey alone. 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶🚶‍♀️

7. It’s never too late to say, “I love you” in any language.

Thank you for reading! Until next time, find a way to step out of your comfort zone.

💚

Susan

Have you stepped out of your comfort zone lately? Leave a comment and let me know.

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I have a second newsletter about journaling. If you are interested or know someone who would be interested, check it out at From The Pen’s Nib: A Commonplace Book About Journaling.