Five Things I Enjoy Outside of My Comfort Zone

Something I’m horrible about is getting set in my ways and refusing to try new things. I like things to be black and white and to have all my ducks in a little row. In short – change scares me.

This means that when something is outside of my comfort zone odds are I’ll turn my nose up at it and continue on my way. Sometimes, though, I’ll get brave and try something out of the ordinary. Here are five times that worked in my favor.

Shopping. Y’all – I hate it. I’m plus size and the majority of the stores out there don’t understand how to make clothes for us bigger people. It’s a nightmare.

One day I was fed up with spending money on jeans that fit for three days and then became so stretched out for the rest of eternity that they forever fall off (don’t tell me to wear a belt because I won’t do it) that I gave Torrid a chance.

They had fans in their changing rooms. Also, everybody that worked there was plus size too so I felt understood. It was love at first sight and I’ve been obsessed with my two pairs of jeans ever since. I haven’t been able to buy anything else *insert crying face here* because their clothes are so expensive but one day I’ll go back.

Historical fiction. This is a genre that does not mix well with me. Several years ago though I was sent an ARC of The Valiant by Lesley Livingston and I gave it a shot.

It was so good! I was honestly shocked! Nothing against the genre at all but for my taste it normally just moves way too slowly. The Valiant was fast paced and exciting which made it capture my attention. I think the fact that it was about female gladiators really helped too.

Cooking. I am not a person you will ever want in your kitchen. Seriously. Just trust me on this. When I started being a stay at home mom I wanted to take a shot at making yummy dinners so I went on a big adventure.

Somehow, in the span of just a couple weeks, I went from somebody that ruined boxed macaroni and cheese to making pork tenderloin with rosemary maple glaze and roasted potatoes and blackened shrimp bowls. I’m still not the greatest cook but I’ve realized that I can actually do it and it’s not even the least fun thing I’ve ever done.

Medical things. I used to be the person that passed out at the sight of blood. To be honest I’m still that person when it comes to my own blood. Having a medically fragile child though has changed all of that.

I would never be able to be a nurse and take care of other people, but it’s the best feeling in the world knowing that I can 100% handle any of the care Elliott needs. I’ve seen his beating heart, given him twice a day injections, inserted feeding tubes, you name it I’ve done it. And while I wish we didn’t have to go through these things – I love that I’m able to do it and we don’t require at home nursing care.

Blogging. Putting so much of myself out there for the world to see and judge has been terrifying but so very rewarding. Starting this blog was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and I’m so proud that I’ve kept up with it! At times it’s very stressful and makes me anxious but overall I think that blogging has positively impacted my mental health and I’m glad I gave it a chance.

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What is something you’ve done outside of your comfort zone that ended up being a good thing? Let me know in the comments!

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted each week by Jana from That Artsy Reader Girl. Visit her blog to see how she steps out of her comfort zone and find other’s lists as well!

Also, a huge shoutout to Caitlin Althea for showing me how to make font different sized fonts in the same blocks in her post full of WordPress tips! It adds such a fun element to everything and I’ve been wondering how to do it for a while.