30 days of self love – out of the comfort zone

Posted: September 23, 2010 at 9:00 am

I do not regret a single thing from my past. I do not continue to hold grudges against those who hurt me. I do not wallow that I wasted years of my life in sadness and treating myself poorly. I do not resent the fact that competing in a fitness competition was not for me and screwed with my body. I do not feel guilty knowing I will not return to teaching because I discovered it is not my true passion. Those scenarios all pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to grow stronger and change my life.

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We have to believe that we have the strength to face difficult situations. The most rewarding moments in our lives often come with some growth and change. Just as our muscles will not strengthen without some physical challenge, our lives will not have room to grow without having to push ourselves past emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual discomforts from time to time. Below are just a few of innumerable examples.

  • Diet: Giving up old eating habits we are comfortable with in order to better our health.
  • Exercise Goals: Pushing through tough workouts to cross that race line, achieve those push-ups, improve stamina, etc.
  • Life Trials: Learn things about yourself through those emotionally trying times. Find ways to love and support others, develop new coping skills, etc.
  • A New Relationship: Breaking down walls to open up. Putting someone else before yourself.
  • Following A Passion: Changing your work, friends, lifestyle to do something you love.

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I don’t think I would fully experience life if I could just breeze easily through. I have goals and desires so I can pursue my best life. I know they won’t come easy, but that is what makes them so great. As long as they tie in with my purpose and those things valuable to me, I know pushing myself towards them will help fulfill me in many ways.

After all, how great does it feel to know you accomplished something? The greater the challenge, the sweeter the victory. Sometimes simply surviving something is an inspiring victory in itself. We need not forget those challenges we have overcome and allow them to empower us today. We must embrace new trials as a way to achieve a higher quality of life in the long run. They shape us into even greater people than we already are.

What challenges have you overcome? What goals have you achieved? Let them empower you today!

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Check out the following bloggers who shared their personal 30 DSLR reflections.

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47 Comments to “30 days of self love – out of the comfort zone”
  1. It’s so true that some of the most rewarding moments come from challenges and difficult situations. I’m blanking on a personal example…it’s early! Great post Tina!

  2. Kat says:

    Its amazing to me when I look back on my challenges and see how God has used them to form me and others. Some situations I still don’tunderstand, but I know I was not meant to understand them all. God has brought so much growth through all of the challenges I have endured. I know that I am a better person today and will continure to be better because of how I overcome those challeges

  3. I’m always surprised at the doubt I had in myself when I complete a challenge. I need more confidence in my abilitites.

  4. Penny Lane says:

    I think that there are too many things in my life that God has helped me grow through to even start listing. Thankfully He has been so good so that I have learned from each growth that has taken me to a newer happier place in my life.

  5. Dev says:

    Beautiful post, Tina! I agree. I don’t regret anything from my past – they’ve all helped shape me into the person I am today.

  6. I’m currently smack in the middle of a huge challenge that is worth everything to get through. Last fall I left my job in healthcare/education to pursue a wellness + fitness coaching path. It is my heart to help others who are trying to redefine their health, fitness, relationship with food and life in general. So here I am…fighting the doubt I have almost daily about what I’m doing, fearing that I won’t make it, fearing that it might not work. BUT…it’s all in my head! It’s in how I talk to myself. It’s all in my attitude. So yes, I will push through and I 100% will succeed. We are all such amazing individuals, if only we remember to believe it. 🙂

    Beautiful post Tina!

    • Tina says:

      I think thats so great that you pursued something you really care about. Whenever I do go back to work I hope to pursue anything related to that field. Or writing. 🙂

  7. Becca says:

    Once again, bravo on timing. 🙂
    Today’s OMTL chapter talked about taking care of ourselves and others — the oxygen mask thing on an airplane: you have to help yourself before you can help others — and how if we knew we only had a month left, would we give up exercising and healthy eating, etc.

    I look back and see a lot of pain. I lost three really special people in about that many years. Two lost battles with cancer, and one was totally unexpected–the best friend died in a car accident. They challenged me, and I’m better because of their deaths, I think.
    And I’m working toward a few goals. I’ve accomplished quite a bit. I think I need to focus on the fact that even though there are challenges, I’ve pushed through the ones in the past, and I can learn from the present, too.

    • Tina says:

      Great point. Remembering what you have overcome already, helps give you strength to believe you can overcome something in your present or future. 🙂

  8. meghan says:

    when I feel uninspired I look at the things I decided to do with my life and the things I’ve accomplished. I look at my military uniform. I look at my graduation pictures, and my pictures from living in Europe. I go over the list of unhealthy habits I’ve overcome. I look at the responsibilities I finally accomplished and maintain. I try to see where I’ve been and know that I will get where I want to be.

  9. Felicia says:

    I love your posts, and they always seem to come at the perfect timing. I am fighting some demons right now that I wish would just go away, but I’m trying my best to work at it each day. My goal is to be happy again and overcome the struggles.

    • Tina says:

      You can definitely overcome those struggles. Believe in yourself. And like you said…take it day by day. Don’t ever forget the little victories either! 🙂

  10. Inspiring as always! Thank you, Tina 🙂 Such a good reminder to not look back and regret things in the past that can’t be changed. Sometimes I find myself in the habit of thinking “I wonder where I’d be if only I’d…” but that’s such an unhealthy pattern of thinking (as you pointed out!).

    Thanks again for the reminder…hope you’re having a wonderful day!

  11. i love this post 🙂 i feel like you and i pushed through the same hard goals and issues, and i KNOW my life is so much better because of it!

  12. Once again great post. Couple things before I comment on this one. First, ouchy about your ankle, it looks very painful. Hope it’s feeling better 🙂 Two, very cute baby bump picture, thank you for sharing! Three, relating to your forgiveness post. I have a hard time forgiving and forgetting and moving on. I have moments where an hour after eating mass amounts of food, usually sweets, I will think about it and devise a plan to prevent it from happening ever again, make an unnecessary promise to myself “I will never ever eat to the point where I feel like exploding”. But with all things I am learning to accept that sometimes it happens, and forgive myself and move on.
    I am working towards becoming a nurse by going back to school. I know financially I shouldn’t do it, but I am unhappy in my current job. I want to pursue my life passion. I want to be mentally challenged at work, and right now I don’t feel that. I need to remind myself that I should be happy and that my decision in the long term will be for the better. Yes it means more tests, more classes, money out the door, and less time with my husband. But in no time I will be able to change jobs, and actually feel happy and accomplished.

    • Tina says:

      Good for you for going for something you love doing. Life’s too short to waste on being really unhappy with work. Sounds like a risk that will bring great rewards. 🙂

  13. Sometimes we really need to step outside our comfort zone, shed the comfort blanket, and do something out of the norm. It’s those times we really grow and learn about ourselves as a person! 🙂 Great one, Tina!

  14. Eliza says:

    After dating with my partner for almost two years we faced the challenge of planning our futures together or separately. I’d never had to consider someone else in my plans, because I usually was flying solo. It was a real challenge to me to come to the realization and acceptance of the truth that I would rather be able to continue to live with and be with Aaron than go to a fancy “big name” graduate program. My mom was even pretty concerned about me making the choice to turn down some pretty prestigious programs for the one I’m in now, in order to stay with and support Aaron while he began medical school.

    After reading that, I guess it doesn’t really seem like some of the other challenges people have mentioned. But for me, the challenge was trusting my gut when it said that this partnership and this love and this man was worth making a few sacrifices for.

  15. “I do not feel guilty knowing I will not return to teaching because I discovered it is not my true passion. ”

    This statement really resonates with me. I just spent the last 2.5 years working on a Master’s in Education that, at this time, am not using and don’t have plans to use. I tell myself to not feel guilty and it’s very difficult. But, true me knows that deep down, I will not settle or be happy in a position that isn’t me. Good for you for realizing that Tina!

  16. What a great post tina!! I definitely am so thankful for the road I had to take to get to where I am today! I truly believe that any challenge we face only makes us stronger as individuals! Great idea to reflect back on this!

  17. […] out this morning’s 30 DSLR post. All about […]

  18. What a great post and something I was already thinking about the past few days! Funny how that works;)

    Getting back into shape after gaining 20 lbs my first year of marriage (YIKES!) has truthfully brought so much joy back into my life! I guess I kept eating like I was honeymoon (OOPS!) while not working out and on top of that, I moved to a new state away from family/friends and could not find work. I just felt like I didn’t have purpose other than being a “housewife” and it drove me nuts.

    Now, however, things are different and it started as I began strength training a few months ago and losing bodyfat (all that I had gained plus 10 lbs!!!) and now I feel I can do anything. I’m SO happy and my husband is so happy that I’ve got my SPARK back.Now that we’re all settled in our new place, it really does feel like the world it as our fingertips and I feel so strong and confident, all because I got out of my “comfort zone’ and got to the weight room:)

  19. As corny as it sounds, challenges are a way for us to see what we’re made of! As much as stress can wreak havoc on my life sometimes, I appreciate it. It helps me grow stronger and it helps me appreciate the nonstressful days 🙂

  20. homecookedem says:

    I faced challenges with my issues with food/exercise, but I am stronger and smarter because of it now. I hated struggling with it all at the time, but looking back I’m so thankful because I am able to not only live a good life for myself, but also encourage others to improve their relationship with food/exercise as well.

  21. Kelly says:

    I recently left my comfort zone when I quit a job that made me miserable. I know that I made the right decision even though at times I feel a little lost. I am taking some time to discover what it is that I want rather than always asking others what they think I should do. That is pretty much how I have lived my whole life. So, I am enjoying this new journey and will see where it takes me. Life is all about growth and change and the grace in which we accept it.

  22. Maren says:

    I’ve done a lot of out of comfort zone lately. The biggest one was being in a play last summer. I’d never done anything even close to theater, but my brother was super involved at the local children’s theater. He asked (well kinda tricked) me into doing the show for young adults last summer and I did it. It was really hard, and there were buckets of tears but I’m so thankful I did it now.

  23. “Sometimes simply surviving something is an inspiring victory in itself.”
    Simple… but true. The strong survive and come out on the other side an even stronger and better person. Surviving shows you your strengths and shows you that even when you think you can’t… you can.

  24. Jolene says:

    Amazing post – I can really relate to it as well as I have tried so hard to ALWAYS be out of my comfort zone – or as much as possible, because I learn so much and gain so much strength when I do. You are such an inspiration.

  25. Ela says:

    Dear Tina,

    I did a kinda tongue-in-cheek post about this today –
    http://ulteriorharmony.blogspot.com/2010/09/garden-drawing-to-close-reflections-on.html
    – hope you enjoy.
    Thanks so much again for all the inspiration.

    love
    Ela

  26. Lance says:

    Tina,
    Life has ups and downs. And in all of this – the good and the challenging – there are opportunities for us to grow. And I really believe, too, that it’s the trials in our lives that makes us really dig deep – and in that – just know ourselves so much better.

    What a beautiful gift (if we’re open to receiving it)….

  27. When I became an empty nester (and was newly single for the first time in 20 years) I made the decision to try my best to step outside my comfort zone. I started my first blog (I had always written but while I could let people I didn’t know read my stuff, it made me uncomfortable for friends to read it), took screenwriting classes, joined Zumba classes, volunteered with Soldiers’ Angels (adopting soldiers and helping at events…) All of these were beyond that line I had once drawn in the same, and made me realize I am not as introverted as I once thought. Stepping out is FUN! And rewarding! And revealing… And I love pushing myself…wondering what is next.

    Take care!

  28. […] September 23, 2010 Filed under: Uncategorized — Becca @ 11:46 pm Today’s 30Days post was about getting out of our comfort zones and facing challenges […]

  29. Jacquelyn says:

    “I have goals and desires so I can pursue my best life. I know they won’t come easy, but that is what makes them so great.” – This really hit home with me today. Thank you. It makes me realize that pushing myself through long days of work, night classes, volunteering, and trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle all at the same time are worth it in the end.

  30. […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tina Reale, Tina Reale. Tina Reale said: 30 days of self love – out of the comfort zone: I do not regret a single thing from my past. I do not continue to … http://bit.ly/9Svb6h […]

  31. Holly says:

    This is something I do need to work on…I am so afraid of change, it is hard for me to step out of my comfort zone! However, last weekend I signed up to volunteer at Habitat For Humanity by myself – normally I am SO terrified to sign up for things alone. It can be a little intimidating! But at the end of the day, I was so glad I did it.

  32. […] Posted on September 24, 2010 by tarynehanson Yesterday’s 30 Days of Self Love Reflection was on going out of your comfort zone. For me, this whole week has been about leaving my comfort […]

  33. It is really easy for me to downplay my successes and victories and to think that they just are not QUITE good enough, instead of feeling proud of the fact that I have accomplished many wonderful things.

    I guess I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone a lot without ever realizing it, and have overcome many challenges. Going to college two years early, finishing college two years early, teaching, recovering from that eating disorder, learning how to love someone else without sacrificing myself, swimming. I feel best when I am, in a healthy way, out of my comfort zone. I like a good challenge.

  34. In crossfit there is a saying “get comfortable being uncomfortable” sometime I am guilty of staying in my comfort zone but what the past year has taught me is that I can do anything and push myself farther than i ever thought imaginable…. I just posted a blog about it actually @ lungsquicken.blogspot.com

  35. […] gives me pause for thought because like everyone else, I’m pretty testy when I’m Outside of my comfort zone. I do not regret a single thing from my past. I do not continue to hold grudges against those who […]

  36. Deborah Cook says:

    In my response to this theme I talk about some of the challenges I have faced over the years – none of which are monumental, but all pivotal to me. I also had the opportunity to think about how I react to change, which is well I think… although I do prefer to be the one controlling the change. Funny that!

    http://dietschmiet.wordpress.com/2011/07/19/30-days-day-23-out-of-our-comfort-zone/

    Deb

  37. […] it’s something that seems to work well for me, and hope that it might help someone else too. Tina asks, “What challenges have you overcome? What goals have you achieved? Let them empower you […]

  38. Xandria says:

    I overcame my bad thoughts about my weight and I am keeping active to maintain the body I have because I appreciate it the way it is. I’m not fat. 🙂
    I also overcame my laziness of learning guitar when I decided to get serious and try my best. I’ve been playing for two months now and can strum pretty well. 🙂
    I am still overcoming the challenge of a heartbreak from a break up that happened two months ago. It really hurts, but I’m getting there slowly.

  39. comfort zone says:

    […] But while the notion of change doesn’t bother me, the control-freak inside of me likes to have some say over my own destiny and changes I’m facing. So even while I brag about being ‘open to change’ today’s topic gives me pause for thought because like everyone else, I’m pretty testy when I’m Outside of my comfort zone. […]

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