Merriam-Webster defines the comfort zone as “the level at which one functions with ease and familiarity”. It is a place where one feels safe and in control. Dr. Rick Hanson describes the comfort zone as being “a nice place to hang out” to which he adds “nothing really grows there”.

Research tells us that moving from our comfort zone into a potential growth zone requires us to pass through two very challenging zones. The fear zone and the learning zone. Exploring these places takes us to the edge of comfort and we might even hang out there for a bit and do some edge walking before shifting zones feels possible.

It takes courage to step into the unknown. As we gather the courage and become more willing (maybe not yet able, but willing) to try something new the other side becomes visible and we can begin to expand from one zone to another. Maybe a visual will help.

I acknowledge at times we are shaken out of our comfort zones by circumstance. Job loss, health issues, end of a relationship, loss of a loved one. These scenarios do not initially involve edge walking, it is more like cliff diving as we fall blindly into the fear zone. I saw this mimicked in nature during a PBS video of little ducklings falling 50 feet from their nest. A mother’s (mother duckling as well as mother nature) infinite wisdom knowing this is what is required in order to learn how to fly.

Whether you are looking for change or change found you, groping in the darkness of the fear zone is a necessary step. It is a highly sensitive time as we attempt to make sense of the nonsensical, a place that we lack confidence and are heavily influenced by the judgements of others. A place of unknowing. The edge walking into the learning zone begins when we find the psychological safety to imagine a new story. We find little pieces of freedom in this new place and begin to see a possible future not distorted by memories or familiarity of the past.

James Prochaska, a psychologist in the 1980’s, introduced a model of behavioral change that illustrates humans don’t “just do it” as Nike would like us to believe. Instead we naturally move through change in stages. In this way we are able to process, then edge walk, then process, then edge walk as we move through, each stage preparing us for the next.

Stage 1: Pre-contemplation

Stage 2: Contemplation

Stage 3: Preparation

Stage 4: Action

Stage 5: Maintenance

Clients usually come to me when they are entering Stage 3. After they have given a significant amount of thought to the fact they want change or are now ready to face the change that was inflicted upon them. Stage 3 is the space between the Fear Zone and the Learning Zone. A special edge where we feel ready to gather new knowledge and understanding, acknowledge we need some help and choose to change direction.

Since June I have been edge walking on the rim of a five-year learning zone. Teetering into a major growth zone, then pulling back to learn some more. I admit the learning zone has come to resemble a comfort zone for me, but I do continue to edge walk as I try on and practice new ways of being. In this zone of learning comfort I have been able to process, edge walk, practice and repeat.

The culmination of this work finds me firmly planted in a growth zone of magnificent proportion.

Today, September 9th, I leave my home on the east coast (aka comfort zone) to embark on a year-long road trip around the United States.

Eeek!

I am calling this journey 10,000 Miles of Thriving*. My goal is to make 10,000 connections as I introduce an evidence-based model of personal growth designed to help individuals heal emotionally, physically and psychologically after cancer diagnose and treatment. The model is called the Thrivorship Wellbeing Circle and the first sessions will begin in October. Each person that participates in this 4-week course is a very important data point for a grant I am in the process of writing to the National Institute of Health (NIH) to formally address the additional healing required after experiencing cancer.

The edge walk, going straight through what scared me the most has led me to my purpose. It can happen for you also if you are willing to commit to the process.

Whew. I know this blog post is jam packed, and hope it has succeeded in helping to…

Introduce you to the concept of “the comfort zone”.
Let you know I am here to hold space for you if you are ready for change and looking for psychological safety to do some edge walking.
Inspire you with my own journey through the comfort zone map. You can follow me on my 10,000 Miles of Thriving via Instagram @kathywashburndotnet. Blog posts more fully documenting my journey will be here on my website.

Happy edge walking.

*Miles of Thriving came from a bubbly conversation with a group of friends. I think the phrase came out of the mouth of Janet. You can follow her beautiful work on the necessary topic of acceptance @dimensions_of_me.

Ready for some Edge Walking?