It’s okay to be comfortable

I’ve spent the past five years in varying states of discomfort. And I thought this was how things had to be. I thought that this was the only way to push through your self-imposed boundaries. Get uncomfortable! You don’t get anywhere sitting around in your comfort zone! Life begins at the end of your comfort zone! I took all the quotes and incorporated them into my life. I got seriously Uncomfortable.

For example: I threw up before going on live radio (twice). I threw up when I published my first book. I threw up before Tudorcon (three times). I didn’t sleep at all the entire weekend of Tudorcon, actually, because I was so nervous. Even smaller things make me nervous – I’m antsy before every book club meeting.

And the thing is, all of this pushing through the discomfort made amazing things happen. Tudorcon is awesome, and I can’t wait to do it in 2021 (hopefully with more sleep this time). Publishing books means I get a check from Amazon each month, which is fun, and it builds my audience. Going on live radio gave me credibility. Having the monthly book clubs and hangouts are an amazing way to connect with my fans and listeners. And all of those things are fun.

But I also need to rest.

I am entering a new phase of life, taking on a contract role within a non-profit library organization that gives me stability and flexibility, which also still leaves me some time for my podcast. It’s a huge blessing, and I am learning how to accept it, and not feel as if I need to be constantly running around like a crazy person all the time. I can rest. I can take a bubblebath, and not feel guilty. I can close my laptop.

Pushing past your comfort zones is fine. It’s encouraged. It’s going to lead to amazing events, synchronicities, and dreams coming true. And it can also lead to burnout, to feeling like you’re never achieving what you want, to constantly comparing yourself to others, and not matching up.

It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to take breaks. It’s okay to get comfortable. It’s okay to swim in comfort sometimes. I hope that during this holiday season you are able to relax into the joy of being at home, hopefully with people you love, and close up the work, turn off the phone, and just be. Watch the rain fall. Smell the hot chocolate. Watch the flames flicker in the fireplace.

And know that if you are given the opportunity to have a comfortable job, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are selling out. It might mean that you’re taking good care of yourself, and bringing yourself back to center. This is a lesson I’ve had to learn, and I’m so glad I finally did (and had the opportunities present themselves when I was ready for them).

In short – life does begin at the end of your comfort zone, as they say, but it’s also okay to sometimes reach the boundary of your comfort zone after pushing for a while, and just setting up camp and enjoying the new view.