Welcome to the introduction for my first book, Comfortably Uncomfortable (working title). Keep reading to find out about a nuanced approach to stretching your comfort zone that shows you how to grow without abandoning all comfort. The post below is essentially the introduction of the book. At the end, you’ll find out how you can be a part of this and future projects. Thank you for reading!
In our achievement-obsessed culture, we’re told there are only two options: constantly push your boundaries or stagnate in comfort. Either you’re playing it safe, embracing routine, and staying in familiar territory, or you’re taking risks, smashing your comfort zone, and embracing uncertainty. You’re either green and growing or ripe and rotting. There is no in-between. Or is there? What if there is a more nuanced approach to personal growth, one that doesn’t abandon all comfort but instead operates in just the right balance of stability and change?
We know we need discomfort to grow, but it’s only effective to a certain point. We also need our comfort zones to rest from the stimulation, allowing us to reset and refocus on our next best steps for growth. This space also allows us to assess our habits, which are really just comfort zones, to see which hold us back and need to change and which provide a solid foundation for growth.
The comfortably uncomfortable approach is a nuanced way to stretch our comfort zones that leads toward the unique balance we each must maintain if we want to grow consistently and in ways that stick. It requires understanding comfort and discomfort and that most growth happens in small steps that add up over time to make a big difference. The essential role community and connection play and how efficiency and achievement might be detrimental to those as well as to our personal growth round out the comfortably uncomfortable approach.
Maybe you’re not young anymore, and your comfort zone has served you well for many, many years. Plus, your body won’t cooperate with skydiving or marathon running. Not without injury, anyway. You want to learn and grow, but the idea of upending your routine and structure is in no way appealing.
Perhaps you find the idea of stretching your comfort zone appealing, but you can’t afford an extreme adventure in Alaska or moving your family to the other side of the world (or the other side of town, for that matter). At the same time, you don’t want to idle through life. You know you’re too comfortable, but you don’t know how to use discomfort to achieve your goals with your limited availability and finances.
Consider, instead, becoming comfortably uncomfortable. Being comfortably uncomfortable involves balance, which is different for everyone and changes regularly. It’s about recognizing that some comfort zones — you have more than one — can provide a place of strength and stability that allows you to remain comfortable in some areas and gain new territory in others.
Being comfortably uncomfortable does not necessarily mean being comfortable with being uncomfortable, although it can mean that, too; rather, it’s about finding the beautiful balance between the two. Think of this balance like riding a bike; you have to keep moving and focus forward to stay upright.
Through stories from the lives of real people, learn how you can embrace a comfort zone in one area to stretch or smash a comfort zone in another. Discover the in-between space where you can find a balance between being comfortable and uncomfortable. This sweet spot, which is different for everyone, allows you to grow in sustainable ways you might not be able to while living in either extreme.
Your journey begins with understanding your comfort zones, as they are now and as they change. Which ones are holding you back? Which ones provide stability? It then moves into understanding discomfort, both its necessity and inevitability. How can discomfort help you grow? When do you need to pause and pull back?
After considering them separately, your journey moves into seeing how you can balance discomfort and comfort, looking at balance in the context of life, and understanding how community and connection are vital. From there, you can build a personalized plan for being comfortably uncomfortable that consistently moves you toward increased resilience.
As you learn to find your unique rhythm, you’ll discover that sustainable growth doesn’t require constant chaos, just the courage to stretch while standing on solid ground. You don’t have to upend your life and fill it with extreme experiences to grow. Instead, embrace the comfort that gives you structure for getting uncomfortable and discover how comfort and discomfort can complement each other and lead you to deeper relationships and experiences.
Are you interested in reading more? Would you like to help me promote this and future books? Here are your options:
- Join my mailing list and receive updates as the book journeys the publication process, including when it’s ready for purchase. You’ll also be the first to know about any new books, several of which are already lining up to be written after Comfortably Uncomfortable is completed.
- Promote my book by sending a link of this page to anyone you think might be interested.
- Share this post using any of the social media buttons below.
- Leave a comment below letting me know your thoughts on this book idea. Even the smallest encouragement would help.
- Contact me with any thoughts you have about this book.
I am so proud of you. You have always been an inspiration in your writings, blog posts, and teachings. I’m sure this will be a success and bless so many people who are looking for ways to learn, grow and enrich their lives.
Can’t wait to read it in it’s entirety 😊
Thank you for your kind words and encouragement!
So happy to see you are writing a book. It sounds real interesting. Keep up the good work
Thank you!
I like it! I am looking forward to reading the whole thing!
Great! Thank you.
I am so looking forward to reading your book. Your subject matter is more prevalent than people realize. The potential people have is amazing but not tapping into it is frustrating. Learning to live with a little discomfort is good stretching. Kari, I am excited to read your book. I’ll partner with you in prayer. 💕
Thank you for emphasizing the value of this topic. I appreciate your support!
Love it, so proud of you! This is a wonderful topic and will resonate with a lot of people.. I always feel like everything is all or nothing. It would be nice to find a middle ground. (I get the 2nd signed copy after Rex 😊
Thank you for your support and encouragement! Your comment shows you get exactly why I wrote the book. I’ll definitely sign your copy.
I love the title. God has gifted you with the written word in so many ways. I am glad you are stretching yourself once more! Looking forward to reading this, my friend!
Thank you for letting me know you like the title. I’m actually going to have a post in a week or so about the title and subtitle. Thank you for your support and encouragement, too.
You are amazing and I am so proud of you❤️. You have been working toward this most of your adult life. Congrats!!
Thank you for your encouragement.
Knowing you as I do for the past decade, although I’m the one who got older, kudos to you. Life is a lot what we experience exercising whether running or strength and flexibility training in a gym. Finding that comfortable uncomfortable balance between strain and gain helps us grow better lives. Great advice… I’m sold.
Thank you for your encouragement, Mike. Means a lot to have you supporting me.
Thanks, Carol. You are not alone in making this decision. Hope you find insight!
Well done, looking forward to your expansion on this topic. People need to push their boundaries to enlarge their world… and chill out to enjoy the view…. Let’s gooooo!
You’re so right! Push some but appreciate life, too… balance.
I am excited!!!!!!! I will be getting one for sure!!!
Looking forward to hearing what you think about it!
Hi Kari Lynn,
I did a Word mark-up of your bookbait if you are interested. I do these for other writers. If so, please message me and I will attach it in an email.
Intriguing book! I want to read it.
Thank you for your interest. I look forward to your thoughts when the book comes out.
Very well written and draws attention through to the end.
I like the tension of the term comfortably uncomfortable.
It all speaks to me and I would read your book.
Thank you for your encouragement, Phyllis.