Learning by failure: life on the edge of the comfort zone

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the courage and emotional toll of existing beyond the comfort zone.

Since COVID, I’ve gone from having two jobs at 3-4 locations a week, to creating all my own opportunities from home, or my empty office at the once robust healing center I started with my sister, a massage therapist (one of the professionals still reeling from the pandemic). After my furlough from my position as mental health coordinator at the local community center, I took stock my future programming schedule to see what I would miss most. I had just designed a series called Life Map, where I’d planned on guiding participants into using journaling to dream up, explore and manifest their best lives.

I did not want to let this one get furloughed alongside my sorry self. So, we went online!

Six months after my furlough, I launched my first eCourse “An Introduction to the Transformative Journal” and 9 months after that, I published my first book, “Journaling for Non-Journalers.”

Creating is my sweet spot.

Promoting is not.

To get me through the feelings of being a stranger in a foreign land, I’ve had to focus as much as possible of my WHY. Why did I want to make this course/book? How do I wish to change the world/give back to my community? Focusing on my why (mostly) gets me through the rusty machinations of the unknown.

My WHY : Creating and delivering inexpensive and accessible mental health tools to as many people as possible so they can take charge of their own healing.

I’ve always learned by failing, like getting lost in a new neighborhood, in order to find my way around (pre-Google maps!). But, this can come at a cost to my self-esteem, as I’m constantly in what Brene Brown calls “Fu*king First Times”. Tell me about what happens when you stretch beyond your comfort zones. How do you self-regulate (stay balanced)? Do you use positive self-talk and tell yourself how proud you are of yourself? Do you take a nap? Retreat into your comfort zone for a recharge? I’d love to learn from you and share your wisdom here with all.