Blog | Inner Revolution Counseling Services

That Pesky Comfort Zone

Oh, that comfort zone. You know the one. We want to hang out there because it is easy and warm and….well….comfortable But we also often know that very little can happen in that comfort zone. If we want to grow in any way, shape, or form, we have to get out of that comfort zone.

And let me tell you, I am drawn to my comfort zone like a magnet. If it were up to me, I would hole up and probably shrivel up and melt into a pile of goo….right there in my comfort zone. I have to push against my natural tendency to dwell in my comfort zone.

I am learning to embrace opportunities to get out of my comfort zone because I want that growth and all the good things that are out there! Partly because it’s not much of a life to shrivel up and melt into a pile of goo. Good things can happen if we open ourselves up and make ourselves vulnerable. We can make authentic connections.

Walk-Up Songs

Do you have a walk-up song? At baseball games, when a player walks up to bat, they play over the loudspeakers a snippet of a song hand-picked by the player. You can call it a theme song if you like, or a song that represents you. It could also change over time! I had a client recently introduce me to the song “Second Wind” by Kelly Clarkson. It seems like a pretty good walk-up song.

A couple of years ago, I was tasked with determining a walk-up song for myself. I am married to a baseball fan, so I enlisted his support. We tossed around a couple of Katy Perry songs. At the time, I believe I picked “Roar.” Then a few months back, my husband told me I had a new walk-up for me. Sadly, I didn’t listen close enough. I heard him, but I didn’t. But then I saw the video I’ve attached to this blog. It is so worth watching some of the backstory of this performance, that was just a rehearsal. I showed this video to my hubby, and he said, “I told you about that song. That’s the song I told you would be your new walk-up song. I’ll take it!!!

Do you have a walk-up song? I would LOVE to hear yours!

Listening to Our Bodies

This quote says so much! We live in a world that can be difficult to navigate. Listening to and trusting bodies is one of our most powerful roadmaps in navigating this world. Diet culture and eating disorders steal this away from us. Let’s get it back!

What if we take a hot minute to consider something….anything that is going on RIGHT NOW within us? Maybe we need to shift the position in which we are sitting. Maybe we need to take a nap. Maybe we need to stop wearing the shoes that make our feet hurt. Maybe we need to eat a snack. Maybe we need to call a friend. Maybe we need to sign up for that pottery class at the local college. Maybe we need to turn our phone off. Maybe we need to journal. Maybe we need to pet our cat. Maybe we need to move to another room.

There are so many things that could be going on with you right now. Take a minute, literally 60 seconds, to check-in and ask your body (not your brain), what is going on right now? What do I need? Start listening to your body again, in small moments. It has a wealth of wisdom and information you can access.

Swinging Hammers

Early in my therapizing days, I started using a metaphor. I don’t know if I made it up….maybe. There’s a chance I borrowed it from someone (and will happily give them credit if anyone can enlighten me). The metaphor is it is hard for your toe to heal if a hammer continues to swing at it. I know it’s a bit graphic. Often, that metaphor is meant to incite action. Get away from the hammer….quit swinging the hammer (if you are swinging it yourself).

It occurred to me this week, in the world of eating disorder recovery, it is durn near impossible to get away from the hammer! The hammer is a world obsessed with diets and changing bodies! At first, I was sad! Sad for all of my clients recovering from eating disorders and troubled relationships with food and body. Sad for the many who will get hit by the swinging hammers out there and end up with injuries that are hard to heal. Then I just wanted to take everyone who doesn’t want to be around the hammers anymore to an island and live in a bubble. Don’t tell me that the idea doesn’t sound nice. Maybe our own Hawaiian island?

I do get mad! And I know there are some amazing people out there fighting the good fight to change the world and get rid of the swinging hammers. In the meantime, we have to figure out how to be in this world until the hammers are gone. We have to try to avoid hammers, protect ourselves when we can, and tend to the wounds that occur.

That Pesky Comfort Zone

Walk-Up Songs

Listening to Our Bodies

Swinging Hammers

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