I Am Comfortable with my Uncomfortableness

<< A little wisdom from GIRLS for you >>

In February I went to a weekend long Life Coaching retreat for Women Who Run It. I spent three full days in a room with twenty other people learning to be a life coach. While I had zero intentions of becoming a life coach, I was writing a story and chose to soak up the experience as much as I could.

I learned a lot more than I ever thought I would that weekend. I completely pushed myself to spend a weekend with a room full of strangers. I was totally outside of my comfort zone but one woman's words really struck me. Her goal for the weekend was to be "comfortable in my uncomfortableness."

What she meant was that she was completely uncomfortable being there, much as I was. This was definitely a taxing experience for someone who feels introverted around people they don't know. She knew that no matter what, she was going to feel discomfort, but she was choosing to accept it, be comfortable with it, and push past it.

I think of these words a lot when I'm trying to push myself past my comfort zone.

One thing I try to do a lot is to stop hiding behind my cell phone. It's kind of an anxiety blanket. If you're sitting somewhere and you don't know what to do, you pull out your phone. Unfortunately it shuts you off from the world.

I try now to sit by myself and take in my surroundings, or even read a book, which actually gives off less of a "leave me alone" signal.

To prove my point: I went to an event a couple months ago and instead of sitting on my phone I sat quietly and watched the people around me. A girl approached me, asked me if the seat next to me was taken, and we struck up conversation.

Also, I was at a bus stop reading a book and a guy asked me what I was reading. Books are actually a good segue way into conversation.

My next adventure in becoming comfortable in my uncomfortableness will be going to a coffee shop to enjoy a book a la Shoshanna:

<< This scene in Inglorious Basterds has always seemed so cool to me. It looks like a good way to spend an afternoon >>

Even further out: enjoying a meal without any "alone armour" like Carrie did:

<< Just truly enjoying your own company>>

From the desk of:

Taylor Brown

Comfort-Junkie in Detox