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[LBD Video #64] The Paradox of Stretching Beyond Your Comfort Zone
February 13, 2021 | By Karyn Kulenovic
Have you noticed that your "comfort zone" isn't all that comfortable?
That's because your "comfort zone" is your limit.
It's the place you've outgrown.
It may be tolerable for awhile, but if you remain
there too long, it can be constricting, frustrating,
and even bad for your health.
When empaths explore pushing the boundaries of their comfort zone, this can be a delicate concept. Healthy boundaries are an important part of basic energy management. However, if you are keeping yourself small because of familiarity or fear, you are putting unnecessary limits on your life.
So, what is the difference between healthy boundaries vs. the limits of your comfort zone?
Keep reading to determine if you've been holding yourself back, and get 4 practical tips on how to move forward with confidence.
Healthy boundaries are put in place to honor your sensitivity, prevent overwhelm, minimize connections with people and places that are not in alignment with your higher good, etc. These boundaries are a form of self-love.
On the other hand, your comfort zone is made of the limits you place on yourself due to things like fear of the unknown, not wanting to invest in yourself, or not believing something is possible for you. Your comfort zone is safe but it keeps you small. Most people don't remain stagnant because they're comfortable there. Rather, they are not sure how to move forward. These limits are fear.
An empowered way to push the boundaries of your comfort zone and reach new heights is to consciously stretch yourself. Conscious stretching means simply deciding to do something that feels uncomfortable because you know in your heart that it will improve your life.
Your comfort zone is the small place that holds your potential. This is the place where you begin to receive nudges and signs to advance forward. Your job is to listen and follow through with your actions. Getting results in life as a sensitive person can be easy if you allow yourself to lean into the unfamiliarity and take conscious baby steps in the right direction. This is when it is healthy to push your boundaries.
Much of what holds people back is anticipating feeling uncomfortable or unsafe. It's often not even the action itself. (The irony is that by anticipating what you don't want, you are actually creating it.)
Why do we do this?
We are protecting ourselves on a very primal level. It's part of the survival instinct, and it's one of the main jobs of the unconscious mind. This is natural. However, when you allow the lower level fear-based emotions to continually be the deciding voice in your life, you are holding yourself back from what's possible for you. You're caught in a loop of "comfortable uncomfortability". On one hand, you feel safe because it's familiar, and on the other hand, you feel unsatisfied, unfulfilled and frustrated because you KNOW you are capable of so much more.
Signs you are getting in your own way:
Many people tell themselves it is because of their circumstances, their past, their sensitivity, or the people in their lives that they don't have what they want by now. But the truth is, they are selling themselves that limitation. Most of the time it's because getting to the next level actually requires something different that they are not yet willing to do.
How to move forward:
We are designed to seek, discover, and expand more and more...
It's not selfish or scary.
It's simply the natural flow of an abundant life.
You'll know you're onto something great when S T R E T C H I N G becomes your new comfort zone!
Much Love,
Karyn
P.S. Have you been receiving nudges to push beyond your comfort zone but don't know where to begin? Conscious stretching can be hard to do on your own. That's why some people choose to invest in their weaknesses to get the support they need to move forward with confidence. Book a call with me and I'll show you how!
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