I love my comfort zone! I always have. Even as a young girl I was never one to play the Hokie Pokie with my safe place. I've known many people who on a regular basis would put their right foot in, put their right foot out. And even some who would put their whole selves out and shake it all about. But, nope. Not me. I patrolled the boundaries of mine like a soldier.
As I got older my safe place started to feel really small and cramped. Prior to my mid-life crisis restructuring, my comfort zone had become so small that I was folded up like a piece of origami.
The first thing I did was take a Cruise - all by myself! I know it sounds crazy and maybe it was a little crazy. But, it was also life changing. I drove to the port to get on that ship and the whole way my Inner Child was having a hissy fit. But, I did it... and I loved it! And like the Grinch's heart, my comfort zone grew three sizes that day.
After meeting my Englishman, I find myself in another time of exploring the lands beyond my boundaries... literally. On Thursday, I was left to explore London while Matt was at meetings. I'd like to tell you that I strutted through the streets with confidence, then twirled and threw my hat up in the air while the Mary Tyler Moore theme song played. It wasn't quite like that.
Instead my Inner Child decided to come out to
play and she brought her friends Insecurity and Confusion with her. So,
I counted to five, put her in Time Out and proceeded on my way.
I visited Trafalgar Square and spent a little time at the National Gallery. Then strolled and shopped my way down to Covent Garden. I love that place! There was a food market, so I treated myself to a chocolate mousse shot topped with candied honey comb. Yum!!!! An opera singer was performing in the lower level and her voice was echoing throughout. It was beautiful.
I even rode the Tube solo for the first, but certainly not the last time. (There was the little episode of taking the wrong exit and Matt having to come find me, but we won't talk about that.)
I even rode the Tube solo for the first, but certainly not the last time. (There was the little episode of taking the wrong exit and Matt having to come find me, but we won't talk about that.)
Was I outside my comfort zone? Absolutely. Was I happy? Immensely. (clapping) "That's what it's all about!"
oh my goodness, Tube exits are the WORST! You do sort of just have to guess which one might be the one you want, especially at big stations. One day, though, you'll be such a Tube expert that you will have figured out which END of the train you want for the particular exit you're aiming for! You'll get there :) congrats on stretching your boundaries!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Betsy! I was so proud of myself only to come out and realize I hadn't quite got it right :P
DeleteJust so you'll get the terminology right in your new home country, I've learned that in the UK, they don't call it the hokey pokey, they call it the hokey cokey! Just one of the new terms you'll pick up along the way. I think you're doing a great job of jumping in and getting acclimated. You're going to love it!
ReplyDeleteHubby was telling me it was Cokey, but I didn't believe him until I googled it. So much to learn!!
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