Weekly Reflections #18: Breaking Comfort Zones!

I think our whole lives, it seems, are spent stepping outside our comfort zones. From the moment our parents sent us to school. Can you imagine that? As early as kindergarten, we are thrust into a world – unfamiliar, uncomfortable, unpredictable situations and experiences.

Once we get comfortable, we take another leap to move beyond it. It becomes a cycle—stepping out of one comfort zone and into the next. We go from kindergarten to middle school, then high school, college, and finally into the real world of work.

Stepping out of your comfort zone can indeed lead to personal growth and reveal hidden potential. As my favorite author once said, “It’s amazing what you can do when you have to.” But in my opinion, it’s a form of mind-conditioning—a way to get people to do things against their natural inclinations by presenting it as the norm. But before we get too cynical, I must admit that stepping outside my comfort zone has proven valuable and expedient. Facing these challenges often brings clarity to the questions we tend to bury in our minds: Is this the right path for me? Is this truly what I desire? Am I creating real value in what I’m doing?

If most of your answers are negative, take heart and don’t be discouraged. Recognizing you’re on the wrong path can actually accelerate your journey toward your true direction.

In high school, I discovered what I truly wanted: to become a writer. I even wrote a novel with myself as the protagonist (cringe-worthy, I know!). But when it came time for college, I put that dream aside. Engineering was popular then, offering high pay and high status, and it was admired by my friends and family. Under societal pressure, I convinced myself it was the right path—after all, I liked math. So, I became an engineer and worked in the industry for four years. However, over time, I felt a growing disconnection—a persistent, nagging sense that something was missing. I realized I couldn’t see the real value in the work I was doing; I was only truly happy on payday.

Then, I turned to nature. I started farming while blogging on the side. Despite the hard work and modest earnings, I found genuine joy in these pursuits. I’m working with my hands; I see the value I’m creating in the world. Now, if my life were cut short, I’d feel fulfilled, knowing I chose my own path rather than society’s.

Thank you for taking the time to read my post. Come and join the fun! 🙂@bluelavender @alxanderkass @anassharkawy

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