On The Importance Of Facing Challenges In This Comfortable World

UPDATED DEC 2019. Facing challenges is an important part of life and personal growth. Today I want to share some of my thoughts about it because it has been on my mind lately. Challenges have a powerful ability to shape us. Well, I suppose it’s our response to the challenges that have a powerful effect on our minds. Hopefully, this post can remind you of the importance of facing challenges, or fears, and inspire you to continue to step outside the scary place known as the comfort zone. If you already do this in your daily life, join in and offer some stories or tips in the comments.

On The Importance Of Facing Challenges In This Comfortable World

Here is what got this train of thought started in my little brain.

While in Estonia last week, I wanted to get away from the town center and visit a waterfall.

After asking the hotel staff for their local tips on how to get there, we came to the conclusion that the best (and cheapest) option would be to rent a car.

Eeeeeeeeeekkkkkk!

I had my international driver’s license but I hadn’t actually driven a car in 5 months, since before moving to Italy. My default driving setting is on the opposite side of the road in Australian driving conditions so it seemed a bit scary.

Would it all come back like riding a bicycle? Would I accidentally drive on the wrong side of the road again like when I moved to America? Did I remember what all of the road signs meant?

I don’t enjoy driving very much so the thought of spontaneously getting behind the wheel for a road trip in Europe was scary.

And once I realized that I was scared, I knew that I absolutely had to do it.

This is one example of a situation I have faced many times. Each time I have thought the same thing.

If I didn’t do everything that scares me, my life would be ruled by King fear and Queen anxiety.

The Prince and Princess of unfulfillment would probably be hanging around in the background too.

From big things like skydiving, starting a blog, traveling alone or taking on challenging hikes, to little daily things like teaching myself to drive in America, doing a triathlon, going to my first Italian jazzercise class or even meeting new people, I try to do something that scares me every day.

In fact, I actively chase those things.

Now, don’t get me confused. I am not a fearless, adrenaline junkie thrill-seeker in any sense. Far from it!

A lot of times these scary things are the little everyday things for me.

Some days it is easier than others and some days I might put it off for tomorrow. Every now and then I even shy away from them. I’m not perfect.

But, I always make sure to recognize if something is challenging or scaring me and push myself to give as much as possible a go.

I can’t imagine life hiding away in the comfort zone. In fact, it’s one of my worst nightmares.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like I see an increase in people who are faced with anxiety or depression issues.

Is it an overused term? Are more people facing these issues? Or is it simply more acceptable to speak about it? I don’t know.

But I do have to wonder if our comfortable lives and love for the comfort zone could be blamed for the increase in people feeling lost, overwhelmed and without confidence in themselves.

Our daily lives are so incredibly comfortable, more comfortable than ever before. There is a bigger struggle with excess than scarcity. We have protection from the elements and predators and can get from place to place easily. Anything we need is a mouse click away.

It’s so comfortable, that people are more focused on avoiding pain and discomfort than seeking pleasure – isn’t that weird?

In this day and age of participation trophies, we don’t even face the challenge of losing at something anymore.

I think this is one of our problems and reasons for the rise in anxiety because let’s face it, we need discomfort. How else are we possibly meant to improve, learn and grow?

If we are not having to face our fears because life is so easy, how are we meant to get stronger?

Life isn’t meant to be easy and definitely not comfortable.

Big smile from facing my fear of horses. Don’t underestimate the importance of facing challenges.

When we get uncomfortable and face something challenging, something that scares us, our body is pushed to perform – and remember that you are capable of more than you think you are.

We gain confidence from facing these things instead of running away from them and we get stronger with each challenge.

In our minds, we gain credibility with ourselves.

That little voice in the back of your head which used to offer you 1856 reasons why you will fail/it is scary/we should just stay inside knows that you have handled scary things before, so you can do it again.

And if that annoying voice does pop up, you know you can say ‘thanks for the tips, now can we move on with what we are doing’ instead of caving in to that voice.

This is how we become like those strong and seemingly fearless people we admire.

I firmly believe that it is important to seek discomfort, to enjoy the process of feeling uncomfortable because you know that is the home of growth.

So what can we do about it?

Find something, big or small, that scares or challenges you every day and run at it head-on. Ok maybe just jog.

At the very least walk towards it timidly!

However you do it, zip down the comfort zone tent and get yourself outside to face something challenging or scary.

I promise you this is how you will develop.

This is how you can become a stronger individual.

It is a powerful anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medicine.

More of my thoughts and tips on personal growth

• How To Get The Courage To Travel Alone When Everyone Says You’ll Die

• What To Do When Family And Friends Don’t Support Your Travels

• 5 Friends You Need In Your Life (And 5 You Definitely Don’t)

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