comfort zones

I told my husband months ago that I felt something was coming in my life.. a shift, a change, I wasn’t sure. I could tell that I was on the brink of something, but I just didn’t know what that looked like. As someone who is typically incredibly scared of change and stepping outside the tight confines of my safe box, what surprised me was that it excited me. The uncertainty of what that change would be encouraged me about what the future held, but I was hoping that when that shift occurred, I’d be ready and willing to accept it. 

You know that stereotypical person who takes care of others before themselves? That’s me. I pour into making sure everyone else around me feels loved, encouraged, and supported, but rarely take the time to reflect inward and see how I’m actually doing. 

I spend my time working full time counseling elementary and high school students, which tends to always come back to how to be brave, how to learn to love themselves, how to step out of their comfort zone, and how to be authentically themselves. When I sensed the shift in my life, I began to realize how little of my own advice I was actually taking..

There’s something about vulnerability and stepping out into the unknown that I find amazingly profound. When I found myself encountering a friend, family member, coworker, or even stranger following what they are truly passionate about, I noticed how it filled me with an insane sense of pride. However, at the same time, so much guilt.. How could they be brave enough to do it, but not me? I realized I had spent much of my life hiding behind a “safe” personality- no risk, but also no reward. What was I doing for me? What was I doing that was making me genuinely Hallie? I realized that while trying to live so guarded, I wasn’t even fully giving to the world what I could. I felt like it was time to be so authentically myself.

Traveling, empowering women, decorating our new home, advocating for mental health AND eliminating the stigma, trying to find the balance between being fashionable and being comfortable, raising our dog, taking advantage of sales, writing, connecting with people..

These things make me happy. So, I decided I’m going to jump into pursuing them and while hoping to find what makes me me, I really hope that along the way, it helps others too. 

What advice would I give my husband, my sister, my best friend, my students or my family? Go for it. 

So, why would I not give myself the same grace? Sometimes the most beautiful things can come out of being brave, being vulnerable and just saying yes. 

What is holding you back from stepping out of your comfort zone?

I’m stepping out of my comfort zone and I’d love to have you along with my journey.