That moment when you've reached the end of your comfort zone and it's like the edge of a cliff.
You peer over that edge and there seems to be nothing there, just a blank White Nothingness.
No safety net.
No bridge.
Nothing.
And you're already anxious because to get to the edge of your comfort zone you've already had to fight battles. Waging war with your thoughts of self-doubt. You've been victorious so far, because although you were struggling, you were still wrapped within the cozy blanket.
But now you are out. You are on that ledge and you have only two options.
One. You can turn around and wade up to your eyes through those same battles and wait until you're ready... if ever you become so.
Two. You put your foot out over the edge and maybe you fall. Maybe you fall so far down into that white sea of nothingness that you drown and you can't find a foothold to climb back up your cliff to reach your comfort zone. So you decide to build a raft and you paddle on. Or maybe your foot lands on some invisible support that is like a mirror reflecting the White Nothingness from above and you're able to slowly, just so carefully, tread across this unknown abyss and when you look down you see your reflection holding you up. You realize you're not so alone after all.
Maybe in option one you decide that it isn't worth the pain of failure or the chance of success to do something so strange as taking leaps of faith. Leaps of faith in yourself. Maybe in option one you decide that there is nothing wrong with staying in your comfort zone... because, really, there is nothing wrong with staying in your comfort zone. Maybe this way you build up your comfort zone into a fortress of personal growth within your set boundaries and you are content.
But that first step. That first step which succeeds a million tiny steps of anxiety, frustration, and victory is up to you.
There isn't always just two options when you are standing on a cliff. Sometimes, if you look around, you will see that there is a little bench nearby where you can rest your feet. Maybe this bench is attached to a park with grassy fields, swings, and a box where you can build a sand castle. There are big, fluffy trees to offer you shade and wide open spaces for you to run and explore. Maybe you stay here a while so you can adjust to the climate out here on the edge. It might feel like you've run away, but really you should be proud. You are perfectly placed in this moment and exactly where you ought to be for the rest of your life to begin.
You don't have to worry about running out of time because the sun doesn't set in the blank vastness of the White Nothingness. That park can harbor you as long as you need and when you are ready, if ever you are, you can stand up from the bench and go for a walk.
Either direction will work. If they don't suit you, spin around in circles really fast with your arms stretched out until you get dizzy and fall down.
Whichever way your head is pointing - go there.
