I Cling to Comfort
I cling to comfort. So much so that it is embarrassing to share. I should be brave and courageous and not think twice about trying something new. Those that only know me from a distance may make the assumption that I am a daring extrovert always game for the next big thing. But the truth is… I have to gather emotional strength just to move my laptop to a different location in my own house.
Recently, I started working from my basement in hopes that I could have two separate locations in my home: one for work, and one for writing. All the experts recommend this. When you want to stick to a habit, you should pick the same spot, preferably at the same time each week, so your body is trained for what you’re hoping to accomplish. Preferably, when you work from home, this would be a different spot than where you do business.
The trouble is, just the thought of bringing my laptop to a desk that has now been commandeered by my husband during working hours, gives me enough reason to pause. How will I plug into the monitor? Do I need to bring my charger up every time? His keyboard is different, so I’ll need to bring mine up… that feels like too much effort.
Just last week I laughed with a colleague who told me that if he’s planning to go somewhere, but he doesn’t know what the parking will be like, he just doesn’t go. I laughed because I’ve done that too. Can you relate? If that seems silly to you, then that’s great. You have my permission to skip this week’s post and move on. After all, we don’t all struggle with the same things. But if you do relate, take heart knowing that you are not alone. It’s easy to assume that only difficult circumstances or trials will stand in our way, but often it’s the simplest things that keep us from good experiences.
Often it’s the simplest things that keep us from good experiences.
At this point in my life I have yet to learn a way around it, but I have taught myself how to power through it. If I become aware that I’m holding myself back from opportunity because of these stupid little inconveniences or fears, I take three steps:
Acknowledge it
Own it
Push through it
It’s easy to call them “stupid little inconveniences”, but we experience them for a reason. Everything that has happened to me up until this point in my life, many things far worse and more serious than working at a new desk, have taught me to protect myself. Protect myself at all cost. My reaction about the desk is admittedly dramatic and not in scale with the situation at hand, but it’s rooted in something real. When I acknowledge my reaction and own the true cause if it, only then can I push through.
The next time you find yourself clinging to comfort, I hope you’ll take a second to analyze why. If it feels too big, seek professional help (my friendly advice on Sundays is not a replacement for therapy). If it’s not too big and just feels silly, then own it. It’s okay to feel that way but it’s not okay to let it hold you back from the next good thing in your life.
I am proud to say that from the moment I wrote this (January 29th 3:55pm) to the moment I am scheduling it to be a Sunday Starter (February 12, 9:36AM), I have pushed through and am posting this from the office. It’s a small win, but a win nonetheless. Now go out and find your next small win.
