View of the ocean from my new bedroom
I stayed too long. It was comfortable – one block from the ocean, lots of cool restaurants, easily accessible for clients, sunny and spacious with an open feeling. My focus was online – writing, connecting, studying and learning. My focus was also offline – attending various local networking groups and events. And I continued to build my professional knowledge – taking courses, attending conferences both near and far. Moving was the farthest thing from my mind and seemed to be an enormously difficult task – taking the time to do some research, traveling to look at different places, and then packing up to move.
I chose to stay in my comfort zone.
So, when the huge terrace, part of my apt, was damaged during the hurricanes several years ago, I overlooked the fact that the landlord had never fixed it (even though he had received money from FEMA). And when the dishwasher broke and was not fixed, I didn’t make a fuss because I eat out a lot anyway and it’s no big deal to wash a few dishes. And then there were some worms in the hallway. After a long time, and many requests, the exterminator came. Then, recently, there were huge waterbugs. Again, it took awhile but the exterminator was finally summoned. Becoming increasingly upset, I was finally beginning to gear up to move. I had looked at many different places over the years and none quite met with my expectations – except one huge, wonderful townhouse that I had almost taken a few years ago. Although I pay a pretty high rent where I am, the townhouse was much more expensive and fear had overtaken me. So a few years ago I had decided to stay in my comfort zone.
Finally, the straw that broke the camel’s back, was when I moved the refrigerator so the exterminator could spray behind it and the freezer pipe broke creating a small water leak. When the manager came in, he tried to tighten something under the sink and then there was a mini-flood. Then someone came to fix the problem and did a slip-shod job and I suddenly had low water pressure in my sink. The manager turned on the dishwasher, even though I begged him not to, and then he broke off a piece at the bottom. That did it! Finally, finally, finally I made the decision to leave my comfort zone and go for success!
Decisions have great power in them. The townhouse I had almost taken about 3 years earlier was once again available. This time there was no hesitation despite the large increase in monthly payments I will have to make. When the pain of staying where you are is greater than the pain of stepping forward, the choice is easy. I have had a vision board for a few years and as soon as I leave this current place I am throwing the board away. My vision has been fulfilled. In my new townhouse bedroom, I have a direct view of both the ocean and the intracoastal waterways. For relaxation and meditation, I go downstairs to sit facing the ocean or walk across the street to sit facing the intracoastal. The building is directly on the ocean with a huge pool, secure garage and qualified caretakers.
I can only imagine how different my life would have been these past 3 years if I had taken the leap of faith at that time. The lesson here is that the comfort zone is a trap – it keeps you stuck and gives the illusion of security. Movement has energy. After my current move, my energy is so much freer that I know it will be easier to move again if that is what I need to do.
Are YOU ready and willing to leave YOUR comfort zone to follow your dream and seek success?
CONTACT ME. Let me help you succeed in your relationships and your life dreams. I know how. I’ve been there, done that. And I’ve studied all about it.
Learn about: HEALING THROUGH LOVE and LOVE TOUCH HEAL SYSTEM
Here’s to following your dream and living life in love.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica Goodstone
Latest posts by Dr. Erica Goodstone (see all)
- Aging Beautifully - October 6, 2024
- How Are You Feeling? - August 12, 2023
-
Love Vs Hate How Much Love Can We Share To Eliminate Hate? - July 23, 2022
Oh, I can really identify with your story Erica, so glad you moved. Many years ago (back in the 80s) I purchased a nice house, then when I met my hubby, he moved in, and slowly we renovated each room, until it was just how we wanted it! We made an extension so the house was a good size, and we had a beautiful garden! Before doing the extension, I said to my husband, are you sure you want to live here for the next 20 years, because it’s not worth doing this unless you do? And, we decided we would stay.
Then after about 10 years, hubby says “I’m going to die if I stay in this city any longer, I just HAVE to move”! He had stayed in his comfort zone plenty long enough!
Anyway, within a year, we’d moved and we’re living near the beach, in a city we absolutely love!
Are you still loving your new digs?
Many of us spend a lots of time wanting to make life changes, but never bring those changes to reality. I think it is because all change (especially big change) forces us to step out of our comfort zone. It seems that many do not leave their comfort zones until they encounter some sort of crisis: illness, a financial setback, death of a loved one, divorce, or job loss, etc. Because so many people do not understand the underlying barriers preventing them from moving forward in their lives, they remain in their status quo unless a crisis forces them to do so. Myself included, or course.
Rachel,
Not all comfort zones are bad. We can enjoy our daily life and feel secure in our way of life. And then something happens and we are thrust out of our comfort zone, often leading to a new and even better way of living.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Hi Erica,
Wow! What a beautiful view!! Do you leave the windows open at night to hear the ocean? I’ll have to come visit you. Wouldn’t that be fun! I am so happy for you. Wonderful things come from moving out of your comfort zone.. really. Nomatter how small. It propels us forward … much love to you
Lesly,
No, I cannot leave the windows open because the sun immediately wakes me up at sunrise – and that is not my usual rising time. I spend a lot of time on the computer late at night when there are fewer distractions.
Warmly,
Erica
Erica, you have always been one of my inspirational guides and that is being honest.
I have taken the pleasure and honor of speaking with you and would love to continue into the future with much eagerness to get started now being back on track.
My choices are always simple and based on change yet my follow-through is what I work on daily. Taking to many things at once is another issue and change is better when you see the signs God gives each one of us.
You made me laugh so hard with you story of change. I can not begin to tell you how it reflects that old wise story of the man on the roof speaking with God.
The signs shown to use are blocked by our fears and doubts. Yet, sometimes our abilities to have just a little faith moves mountains. You are a huge inspiration to us all Dr. Erica keep doing what you do best.
I love your honest way of sharing experiences with us and we can feel the pain, and other emotions. That is keeping transparent as anyone and everyone should.
You make a difference in all our lives and that is more than most could dream of doing in a lifetime.
I have changed based on people such as yourself and that means the world to me. Thank you Erica for all you do not know what you inspire.
Wow William, Thank you so much for your kind words. Change is inevitable. Either we make the change when it is first beckoning to us or we wait, and wait, and then we no longer have a choice, we are stressed and pushed to change. Life is movement. We need to allow that movement as it occurs.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
What a wonderful article, We all need to move toward something else every now and then. Doesn’t have to be quite so literal of course:)
I am actually looking forward reading about the future that follows the move to the dream house.
Everyone who love the view say Aye!
Pingback: Upgrade Your Personal Life For Love
Getting out of my comfort zone is what kept me from retiring from the military at 20 years like I was supposed to. Its really hard to take that plunge and finally when I had enough of the situation I was in I took action. Sometimes though it would be nice to take that action without having to be in such dire straights.
Clint,
I had an opportunity to to get out of my previous place when it was much less challenging but I let fear get in the way – so I stayed – and then it became unbearable and I was pushed into leaving. Would have been easier and less stressful to take the action when it first felt like time to do it.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Hi,
Our comfort zone is not just ours. It’s the comfort zone of the whole family. When you are alone it’s easier to step out of your comfort zone. There is only one comfort zone. When you are married and you have kids, you have to fight with many other comfort zones. Sometimes you want to do it but you can’t. You need patience and diplomacy to succeed.
Have a nice day
Silviu,
You are so right. You bring up an important point. Some of us step out of our comfort zone or do something that feels comfortable to us but is pushing a family member out of their comfort zone – unwillingly. Patience and love is the key. And sometimes it is a long wait,
This is where visualization and taking small steps as well as ongoing communication can lead to powerful results.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Hi Dr. Erica,
I enjoyed reading your blog! Great wisdom! Absolutely loving what you said about the comfort zone as “a trap – it keeps you stuck and gives the illusion of security.”
There is this network marketing leader and trainer Jerry Clark who once told a story about a dog sitting on a board full of sharp nails. When someone asked the owner why the dog was sitting there, the reply was that the dog was used to that.
Isn’t that interesting that people can feel ‘comfortable in their discomfort’ (a phrase used by Jerry Clark in his story) ?
Thanks, Dr. Erica!
Viola Tam – The Business Mum
Viola,
Responding to your comment in my new place in my new office with my newly setup up internet connection, I can tell you it feels so much better being out of the comfort zone. Actually I am already incredibly comfortable in my new surroundings. I have space, lots of space, and a view of the ocean and the intracoastal. The environment is beautiful and soothing.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
I tell bloggers that they cannot always stay in their comfort zone. They need to blog and be competitive even if it means producing an article and making sure their article contains more thorough content.
It makes the difference.
So, this can be applied to most situations. You can’t learn and grow if you do what Nike’s old slogan says and “Just do it!”
Nile,
I am quite good at “just doing it” for most things. But moving was not one of those. It has felt so overwhelming – and it has been. I have taken a full 2 weeks just to organize my stuff for moving. And it took several weeks before that to look at a few other places, to fill out an application, etc. It was not so much the fear of moving but the fear of the overwhelm of the process.
That is why they say “When the pain of staying where you are is greater than the pain for taking action, you will move.” I had a direct experience of that.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Somehow, change seems hard for all of us. What we know is always so much easier, isn’t it. Thank you Erica for sharing your growth process.
Amazing how much better life is when we finally land outside our comfort zone and grow into our new opportunities. Your story shows just that.
I wish you the best of success in your new digs. I think you’ll find out, as we all seem to know in hindsight, that stepping out of our comfort zone is usually the best choice for us each in the long haul.
Thank you for sharing.
Jim,
I am luxuriating in my new home, even with lots of boxes around. The good thing is that there is so much space, 2250 square feet, that the boxes don’t take up the whole room. As a matter of fact, there are no more boxes in the living room or dining room areas.
Now that I have taken the plunge, I can’t understand why it has taken me so long.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Dr. Erica, wow, I did not associate the challenges along the pathway of life with being settle in our comfort zone… well, now with your article I got to know it.
You sure put up with lots of inconvenience’s before ‘deciding” to move… congratulation, I am happy for you and I am certain that your great feelings will continue to increase and you will be more happy in many ways.
I come to that conclusion many time.. sometimes made the change and got off the so called “comfort zone”, but as you, many time I chose to stay on my lovely comfort zone and years later I watched my self saying “why did not do this before?”
Your words here “When the pain of staying where you are is greater than the pain of stepping forward, the choice is easy”.. for me these words say it all in a much deeper level… we only need to pay attention and act on our deeper gut feeling that I call it “Universal Intelligence” at work.
Thanks so much for your story once more.. it made me reflect on a few things that are going on in my life right now.
Thanks again.
_nickc
Nick,
I had an opportunity to move into this same apt 3 years ago and I did not do it for a few reasons. In hindsight, I should have moved then. But I guess the time was not right. And because I didn’t do it at that time, the conditions deteriorated as a sign that it is so important to take action when you have the inclination and not to back down and return to the status quo.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
This is a very interesting and inspiring story Dr. Erica and they always say if you don’t get out of your comfort zone you will not go far ! Getting out of my comfort zone was to make videos. Still not achieved it properly but I am getting there. Thank you for sharing your story and look forward to the next one.
Merle,
I look forward to watching your videos. Good for you, getting out of your comfort zone and just doing it.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Hi Dr. Erica,
thank you so much for sharing your experience.
Staying in the uncomfortable comfortzone seems to be a very common human behaviour.
My comfortzone is solitude, since I grew up with very little social interaction and a lot of experiences where people seem to be unreliable.
Today, instead of attempting to bake coconut brownies made with coconut flour and coconut oil by myself I invited a friend of mine to do this together to share the experience as well as the healthy treat, since it is my birthday on Sunday and hers on Monday. It was so much fun to do this together and to enjoy the endproduct fresh out of the oven with her.
Your new place sounds great! Enjoy!
Love and Light
Yorinda
Hi Erica,
I love the way you described the new view you will soon have the chance to enjoy.
You are very elegant in making decision to stay away from your comfort zone 🙂 Paying higher payment for a quality lifestyle for a home like yours is worthy ! This makes you appear very elegant to me 🙂 Imagine, not having to go for a retreat or joining any meditation classes but just enjoy your good health overseeing the ocean from the comfort of your own relaxing home 🙂
Loving it, Erica ! 🙂
Cheers
Pearly Quah
Pearly,
Your words came at a perfect time for me. Currently I am surrounded by boxes, needing a few more to complete all the organizing and packing. When I look around at where I am now I can feel stressed and uncomfortable. But when I hold the vision of where I am going, the world is open to all possibilities. That is a metaphor for living life and following our dreams.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
HI Dr Eric, I cannot believe you would put up with bugs, water and a terrible caretaker for so many years.. Yikes!! I do wish you the best with your new place, it does sound beautiful, you should have shared some pictures.. Thanks for sharing..Chery 🙂
Chery,
Just to clarify, the bugs and low water pressure were only recently when they started doing work on the roof. I had been in that bulding for many years without those severe problems. But the owner was not diligent and did not really care.
The new place is amazing.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Wow, Dr. Erica, you hit the nail on the head this time!!! What a great post- as I find they always are 🙂 Amazing how we sometimes get stuck and moving on can seem so hard to do, for convenience or comfort, the reason doesn’t matter. Thank you for sharing your story and those that have on the thread- so great to experience together the joys of breaking thru and moving past the old into the new, the adventures and the power we have to create whatever it is we want in this life! It’s all about action!!! Congratulations on your new move & the power to move forward:) Your awesome!!!
Regena,
Thanks for your lovely words. I am really excited to finally be moving. And now I wonder why it took me so long.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
I am getting out of my “comfort zone” where I am living also. When I moved into this home 12 years ago, I thought “this is it” because it was everything I needed in my life.
But…Things started changing. Like you, I let one thing after another go because I was so darn comfortable where I was located. I don’t want to write a laundry list of things that happened but what I can tell you is that I payed attention to the “signs.”
One thing after another, and I needed to move. Although it is stressful to move, I took the plunge. I sold my own home without an agent in 10 days. Found another in Maine (where I just love)
I can say I am so out of my comfort zone at this time, it is a little scary, but an adventure and that is where my mindset has to be.
Donna
Donna,
How interesting that you are also moving – and we both found food to be so comforting in the process. One good thing is that my wonderful health club has served as a haven for me. I have gone there every single day and worked out first before relaxing in the jacuzzi and sauna and steam. Several of my clients are also moving. There must be a big shift in energy happening.
Can’t wait to hear about your adventures in Maine – opposite weather from Florida.
Dr. Erica,
Thank you for sharing your journey out of the comfort zone into your new amazing and un-comfortable future! Before long, just like the pair of new shoes you break in — comfort will come again and then … we continue to stretch and grow.
I’m moving too this summer — from a home that has been comfortable for 17 years. Ah, the exciting adventure continues!
~ Nancy Matthews
Nancy,
Hi. One of my goals for over a year has been to clean out the closets and the bathroom. Since so many other things take priority, I never did get around to it. However, moving takes over. Suddenly I am cleaning out everything and it feels so good! I finally disposed of a huge box of business cards, all of which had been uploaded onto an excel spreadsheet. My goal now is to stop holding on to “stuff,” to let it go sooner.
How exiting that you are moving. Can’t wait to hear more about it.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica
Thank You for sharing Dr. Erica Goodstone. I, too, had lived in my comfort zone for many years, preventing me to flourish and grow. Then one day,
Mirror to…Magnificence opened up the flood gates that I can empower women reflect their beauty within to feel confident and enhance their self-esteem.
Carrol T Wilkinson
Carol,
So nice to hear from you. Look forward to connecting as we had promised. Once I am settled in my new place I will be so much more ready for connecting. I feel as if my world is suddenly opening wide with possibilities all around.
Warmly,
Dr. Erica