I miss my comfort zone, but not much, usually. 

For many years I avoided getting out of my comfort zone, but since retirement, I’m finding that stepping out into fear has brought new pleasures into my life, as well as some experiences that I have no desire to re-create. 

Now, I’m about to cross the threshold into what is terror for me, although to you it may seem as insignificant as walking into the kitchen.  Actually, I’m crossing two thresholds, but they are related.  

Some of you know that I have been working with a website developer for a few months to open an online store for my handcrafted jewelry.  After many a sleepless night and countless frustrating hours, onlyology.com is about to launch.   A few revisions, corrections, and the lessons to learn to manage it myself must be wrapped up and then we’re up and running.  The thought makes my heart pound.  What if all this effort was for nothing?  What if I have no sales afterI have spent all this energy?  What if the website breaks? What if people think that jewelry from oyster shells is too unique (or bizarre)?  What if someone is heartbroken if they don’t see a fairie when looking through my fairie stone pendants?

The second “out of my comfort zone” doesn’t make my heart pound.  It makes my heart stop.

My website developer advised me to write a …..  BLOG.  (Picture a scary font.)  So of course, I immediately attack the internet, frantically seeking advice.  Therein lies the problem.  The internet offers literally zillions….ok, I know, it’s definitely not literally and there is no such number as a zillion…of nuggets of advice!  Many of them conflicting.  And the only thing that I can come up with is to write what I know.  And I know that my hands are shaking on the keyboard.  So many scenarios in my mind are ending badly.  Strangers tweeting about my inane comments, friends avoiding me because they don’t know what to say, family shaking their heads and trying to soothe my wounded ego…or denying our relationship.  

And then, 67 years of experience takes me and shakes me into reality, at least temporarily.  So what?  So what if there are no sales?  So what if people read my blog and don’t like it, or noone reads it?  So what?  And I barge ahead, stomping down negative thoughts and imitating the Little Engine. 

And this is the emotion I want to relish, to take and expand and weave it around me. I am doing it…I am conquering a fear and I will make that accomplishment something to cheer about.

I want to hear your success stories…What hurdles have you been able to “gutsy” through? Have you mastered an obstacle that held you back? Please share, but more importantly, celebrate you! Take a moment to congratulate yourself and recognize joy in your triumph!’’