Willa isn’t fond of getting in the water—at all. It takes courage even to get her paws wet. So when she stepped out of her comfort zone and into Lake Cascade, we were proud of her and happy for her.
Comfort Zone is defined as “behavioral space where your activities and behaviors fit a routine and pattern that minimizes stress and risk.”
Remember when the training wheels were removed from your bicycle? Or the first time you swam without water wings? Trying new things helps us expand our borders.
When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone?
Tuesdays with Laurie 
Well done, Willa. You are indeed a brave girl! I hope this will be the first time of many.
As you know, I love travelling in our motorhome, but not necessarily driving it, so when I did so a few years ago, I really felt on edge all the time and decided I’d rather leave DH to it and I would stick with the more traditional women roles of cooking, washing, etc. I know what I am doing then.
Fatima — The COOL thing is that you TRIED driving the motorhome. My hat is off to YOU!
Thank you. I can drive the school mini bus with no problem, but the motorhome scares the hell out of me, especially now that is our only home!
Fatima — Driving a HOUSE would scare me, too 🏠
Drove all the way around Iceland last month! NOTE: there is no roadside assistance in Iceland.
Barbara — Holy Toledo! My hat is off to YOU!
Lovely photo of you and Willa!
Merril — Thank you. We had a blast at the lake that day 🙂
Our dog was the same. Hated the water and only ventured in a few feet to chase minnows on occasion. The minnows were lure enough to take her out of her comfort zone. I guess this could mean there has to be something really appealing outside the zone to draw us there?
Arlene — Like you, I believe our perspective of the “prize” needs needs to be worth our perspective of the “risk.” 🙂
Wow what a brave girl …top of the class Willa . I hate motor ways , so much so , I refuse to go anywhere on my own if a motorway is part of the deal . My sister lives at the other end of a motorway so I go on the train to see her .
Next month is their Ruby wedding …can I step out of my comfort zone and visit her ? …come back in a month’s time and I’ll let you know 😊
Cherryx
Cherry — I bet a dollar to a donut that you CAN and you WILL go to your sister’s ruby wedding celebration.
Wow, that’s an interesting question. I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone quite a few times in my life — but after 2007 not so much. Maybe it’s time to finally take that hot air balloon trip I’ve had on my bucket list forever but keep putting off (out of fear). 😀
You must do the hot air balloon ride. I did it and loved it! It feels so safe and serene, like floating on a cloud.
Patricia — You’re right. NOW is the time 🙂
Patricia,
I loved my hot air balloon ride on vacation in Vail, Colorado. It was cool on the ground when we lifted off at dawn but warm as we rose. And then, it was so quiet as we looked at the vista before us. Investigate the company you choose with others who rode with them. Then, just go! You’ll love it!
I have stepped out of my comfort zone many times, at the moment I am wondering what is holding back from expanding once again.
I am glad Willa made her move to try the water. Muffin, my golden loved water in almost every form except a bath.
Jeff — You’ve stepped right into essential oils and foods and it’s interesting for me to watch and read on Instagram.
Willa’s the same way as Muffin was about baths. Heaven help the person who tries to initiate it 🙂
I love dogs. They all have their little habits and phobias. Glad Willa partially conquered hers.
ColdHandBoyack — My favorite posts of yours are the ones that include photos of your dogs 🐾
Very nice. I posted a new one on the Entertaining Stories Facebook page this morning.
ColdHandBoyack — I was just there and saw “Is a Tragedy Acceptable Today?” with no photos. Hmmmm, maybe it hasn’t refreshed yet?
It’s the Facebook Page, not the blog site. I like to share the puppers there, because FB seems to like it.
ColdHandBoyack — Gotcha!
You’re welcome to call me Craig. Everyone does.
Ok Craig 🙂
Each time I sit down to write my memoir, I’m out of my comfort zone. It’s actually an approach-avoidance experience. I feel for you, Willa!
Audrey — Just think of the elation you’ll feel when it’s completed and in the rearview mirror 🎉
It’s been awhile since I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone, I think. But over the years, I did it often.
Carol — Maybe it’s time for another international trip to some exotic location and eat interesting/different food with your kids ✈️
Thinking about that. . .
I have anxiety around water, as well. So I know what kind of courage that took. Wait to go, Willa. Giving her a huge (virtual) bone.
Leanne — The way I see it, living on an ISLAND, completely surrounded by water, takes daily courage! 🌊
I guess moving to Spain was stepping out of my comfort zone big time. I survived!!
Darlene — Not only are you alive to tell about it, you’re thriving! 🇪🇸
Thanks, Laurie!!
After damaging a nerve in my spine and now growing a new nerve almost everything is out of my comfort zone. If I am going to recover it has to be a daily hourly movement away from the last achievement. I drove to my daughters home a couple of weeks ago. Freeway (with cruise control) worked well navigating city blocks exhausting as I had to use my right hand to move move foot from accelerator to brake fast enough while watching out for so many cars. I did it. Funny part when on freeway and a car tail gated Zip got up from his car seat and barked at the offending car. The cars both dropped back or changed lanes!!! What a team !
Patricia — Hurray for you and Zip. What a great teammate he is! 🐾
Laurie, i was very comfortably ensconced in North Georgia, the home of my family for generations, when Prince Charming showed up at my door with a diamond ring in one hand and an offer I couldn’t refuse in the other. Southern California is 3 time zones away and an entire culture shock region from home. I am wallowing out a place in the desert sand to fit my size and inclination and am reconstructing a small comfort zone of gardens and plants. It’s feeling better.
Sandi — Having been to your home, and seeing the incredible transformation you’ve created since then, I’d say you live on a lush oasis in the middle of the dessert 🏝️
Great message. I felt as though you were speaking directly to me. I am trying something new and stepping out of my comfort zone – today! Thank you!
Jayden — Woohoo! I hope to read about it soon on your blog 🙂
I love this question. I think that by stepping out of our comfort zones, we can help ourselves grow and learn. 🙂
Leesha0304 — You hit a bullseye 🎯
oh she is lovely! And that lake is beautiful. Actually, it’s just a super photo all round 🙂
Sassy Brit — Thank you. Willa is half Irish Wolfhound and Half Old English Sheepdog. She’s 10 years old and my heart and soul 🐾
Aww bless! I lost my eldest dog a couple of years back, so sad, before her i’d never owned dog. Now I have one 11 year old black lab. They really become part of the family, don’t they! Willa’s a great mix 🐾
Oh Laurie, I got both feet wet and took a leap off the diving board this weekend when I opened the Terrill Welch Gallery. What a wonderful, outrageous adventure and it is just beginning! 🙂 Today I am tucked in back at the home studio and know what “comfort zone” feels like.
Terrill — That’s a GREAT example and I’m so very EXCITED for you!
Terrill, I waved to you from the ferry as we rounded Mayne Island, BC. All the best on your launch.
I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone so often that I can’t count the times. But the last time I did it was this week. Stuart and I are taking care of Lydia, our third grandchild. We have to learn baby language all over again and climb three flights of steps several times a day. We feel so grateful that we can do this, and our children are grateful too.
Shirley — I love it; it’s win, Win, WIN all the way around 🙂
Sounds like Willa trusts you a lot. Good for you both.
I wish Sasha hated the water, even just a bit. Her hair is so thick that it takes hours for her to dry off. But that’ll be another upside to keeping her restricted again. It’s a great picture, btw.
Janet — I love it when you share photos of Sasha on your blog 🐾
Love this photo and the question! While I’ve waded into the waters of vulnerability many times through the years, the most recent big leap has been writing essays about my journey with ovarian cancer in “living with what is.” I have appreciated your support as I’ve waded into the waters once again. -Kathleen (http://kathleenfriesen.com)
Kathleen — That’s an excellent example! I’m looking forward to reading your essays.
We’ve been stepping out of our comfort zone every day on our present NC seashore vacation, but I was expecting as much. It is rather liberating I must say! 🙂
Sam — By the looks of the photo I saw of you and the crew on your blog, it looks like you’re having a blast! 🙂
Laurie,
I don’t spend much time in my comfort zone. Growth demands change and change is stressful. In my short time on this perturbed planet, I have learned that what is not growing is dying.
Dennis — Amen! 🙂
Such a sweetheart! Yes, I remember the moment that my dad first let go of me and my bike (my bike and I?)!
Luanne — I remember that moment, too. Scary exciting! 🙂
I wrote a novel! Whew, still hard to wrap my head around it. And then I went out and wrote another one. LOL Am I crazy? Yes, because I’ve started working on a third one! Aiieeeeee! 😉
Chris
Chris — (Shhhhh, don’t tell anyone, but I think you and I share an addiction)…
I’ve spent most of my life stepping out of my comfort zone so I just keep going. 🙂
D.G. Kaye — My hat is off to YOU! 🙂
🙂