Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone
I keep hearing the phrase,“life begins at the end of your comfort zone” and sometimes wonder if those are only very-well put together words to create a catch-phrase. So I started to think about what is this “comfort zone”? And, how do I discover its end so that I can find this beginning it allures to.
I wake up each morning at around 6:45, make 2 cups of coffee, check my email, dilly-dally on the computer, shower, feed the dogs and clock into work at precisely 9 AM. A slow-wake to the morning which is usually less than productive in the ways I plan them in my head as I fall asleep the night before. Is this the “comfort zone” which the saying speaks of? A simple routine.
The dogs begin to stir as their morning hunger grows and I conclude my morning pondering that this proverbial saying is referring to something much more familiar to my dreams and skills in my wheelhouse than my literal morning routine. Things which I think about doing but for one reason or another yet always find excuses not to start.
Perhaps it is a false belief of failing, fear of embarrassment, a steep learning curve, a previous bad experience, or overwhelmed with where to start or commitment to focus on a single idea. Sometimes it’s just easier to dream, write and talk about then walking down a path of unknown.
Maybe I’m onto something here. Maybe this where the line in the sand is drawn between begin comfortable and not-so-comfortable by simply putting myself out there, being vulnerable and willing to learn as I go, which also means making mistakes and failing. Failing is part of learning and the path to mastering so that you can then help others using those experiences.
As someone who creates Fine Art, I have many ideas which do not fit within the mold of the Fine Art Photographer and because of these stereotypical viewpoints: big is better, if it’s not an epic sunrise or sunset then it’s not sellable as well as the opinion that you must sell limited editions for a large sum to be considered successful, I often find myself chasing my passion for being a full-time, professional fine-art photographer like the ocean’s tide. My goals constantly rising and falling because of the lack of committal to any style which will eventually defines me as an artist and differentiate me from other fine-art photographers and give collectors a reason to collect. A place where I find the end of my comfort zone.
Recently, I launched a short YouTube series where I share my journey as an artist, photographer and human being. This is another end of my comfort zone moment. Instead of standing on the beach watching the rising and falling tide of the ocean, I challenged my comfort zone and began to chase life into the sunsets and sunrises ahead that are waiting to be enjoyed with new experiences to share.
Where does your comfort zone begin and end?
Other articles to read next …
My Not-So Top-Secret Projects of 2021
When Life Gets Blurry Adjust The Focus
and my YouTube channel for product demos and my weekly vlog.
