When I stepped outside my comfort zone

I am a huge believer in the power of stepping outside your comfort zone. This is where the most personal growth is found, and it is often surprising what you find once you take that first step.

My belief comes from my personal experience. About 2 years ago, I was presented with the opportunity to travel to South Africa to complete my yoga teacher training. I had been looking for a teacher and training course for a while and nothing was falling into place. Either the dates didn’t align or the teachings didn’t fit my personal style. Out of the blue, I received an email which started with the words ‘this may sound crazy, but how about you join me in South Africa for teacher training?’

I had to read this email several times, which was from my lovely teacher Rachel Zinman. She laid out the broad details and offered to help me make the arrangements to join her training in the Western Cape of South Africa in approximately 4 weeks time. I was excited by the idea, but then my mind got to work, coming up with all the reasons why I shouldn’t travel.

• My family needed me – turns out they can survive 3 weeks without me
• I’d just started a new job, it wouldn’t be right – my bosses reply was ‘of course you said yes, right?’
• My diabetes would make it too hard to find the right food/insulin/physical activity balance – my teacher could do it so why not me?
• And the list went on…

After working through all my excuses, none of them were a reason not to go. It turned out it was just fear that was holding me back. The fear of the unknown, the fear I wouldn’t be able to live up to expectations (both mine and others), the fear of what I would do with the training once I completed it.

I knew I could travel alone, I knew I could leave my family, I knew I could manage my diabetes and I knew I was strong enough to deal with challenges as they arose. So, once I was out of excuses, it was time for action and I booked my tickets.

This trip was life changing for me. I learned so much about myself, I met incredibly inspiring people, I experienced the beauty of South Africa and I was emersed in training from my teachers Rachel and her husband John. I am grateful for all the support that I had around me, which made it possible to take a giant leap outside my comfort zone.

The picture on our website is the sunrise I woke up to on one of my first days in South Africa. It is a constant reminder to me of this experience and what can happen when you trust in yourself. Now I want to share this with others, to empower them so that they can see what is waiting for them outside their comfort zone.

I invite you to take a step outside your comfort zone, you never know what you will find.

Xo

Jo