Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable
What outdoor education can teach us about the creative Journey
Dear writer, dreamer, explorer, creative, deep thinker
(If you’d prefer to listen, click the audio above)
Back in the day, when I worked as an outdoor education tutor for the Outward Bound Trust, conversations around comfort zones and personal development were my bread and butter.
Groups would arrive, a stream of nervously excitable teenagers, welcomed into a big sitting room for an introductory chat. After, they’d disperse around the centre into smaller groups, and their transformation would begin.
Sometimes I was the course co-ordinator, standing at the front of the room, a sea of faces looking expectantly back at me. Sometimes I was a group tutor, watching from the sidelines, curious as to who would become my little group.
But what I remember most wasn’t what was said, it was how the room felt. How 100 people could fill the room, so that it would seem fit to bursting.
Except it wasn’t, because at the end of the week, the cohort would re-gather in the big sitting room. Each smaller group would take a turn to stand at the front and give a presentation of their learning and adventure. The more creative, the better.
As I stood at the door, welcoming them in, I learnt to take great delight in watching their interactions with each other. Some boisterously jesting, others quietly chatting, A few nervous at this final challenge of the week. And what I came to notice time and time again, was how much more space there was in the room.
A week together had changed them. For some, it had been a truly transformative experience. For others, a memorable time learning new things about themselves and the world around them.
The space that I saw wasn’t because the room had got bigger or the number of people fewer, it was quite simply because the individuals who had arrived at the beginning of the week had got more comfortable with each other, with their surroundings, and with themselves.
Their week together, participating in challenging outdoor experiences, had created a bond. If the weather had been wet or windy, or filled with tiny biting midges, their discomfort was even greater. The rewards, perhaps, even more impactful.
To achieve a difficult thing - we have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Our young adventurers were so comfortable with each other that, collectively, they sat closer.
They’d been through ‘stuff’ together and grown more confident and content.
So how does this help us as writers, creatives, dreamers, and deep-thinkers?
Sometimes we don’t want or need to grow. Sometimes we need to lick our worldly wounds, take extra care of ourselves, and retreat.
But when we’ve finished retreating, and we find ourselves quietly comfortable (in whatever way that may be) wistfully dreaming about our creative or adventurous endeavours; there comes a point when we have to make a decision.
Writing a book, running a marathon, hosting an event, starting a business, renovating a house, meeting new people … All of these can seem daunting and big.
And the path of least resistance is to stay comfortably dreaming. Let’s be clear, that is a mighty fine thing to do - to dream is to whisk ourselves off into a state of bliss.
But if you actually do want to write that book (note to self) or run that marathon, you have to take active steps towards your dream or vision.
Tiny steps, it all counts. I’m on this journey too.
Recently, I’ve put myself, intentionally into the uncomfortable position of asking cafes, shops, and libraries, if they’d display posters for ‘Discover the Story in You’.
I kept putting it off, nerves getting the better of me.
What on earth was I afraid of? I berated myself …
Clearly, given the above, I’ve stood in front of lots of people MANY times AND I fully understand the value in growth.
But that was a long time ago, times have changed. I’ve changed.
My guiding sentiment this year is ‘Bold Courage’. Last year and in 2024 it was ‘Gentle Courage’.
I’m ready to grow and if a tiny step on my journey is to politely ask if someone will display my poster … then I am willing to do it.
I did it - I got uncomfortable … I’m working on getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.
How about you?
If you have a creative vision, are you
Willing to get uncomfortable to bring it into reality?
Ready to take the myriad steps to help you along the way? Even if you don’t yet know what they will be.
Life isn’t a one-week Outward Bound Course … But it can teach us a lot.
Facing fears, seeking connection, learning about ourselves and building resilience is all part of the creative journey.
Shine your light bright ✨
With love and waggy tails
Jo x (and Millie-Dog 🐾)
P.S. Happening THIS week - Discover the Story in You - Workshops
If you have been thinking about attending ‘Discover the Story in You’ Online two-hour workshop, consider this your universal nudge.
A nurturing group space - For writers wishing to find greater clarity and courage to explore thoughts, feelings, emotions, and story ideas.
There are still a few places left for this introductory workshop TONIGHT - I’d love you to join us 😊(Bookings close at 5pm. Doors open 6:30pm)
Local to Cumbria?
Saturday 31st January Discover the Story in You Whitehaven, Cumbria (UK) 10 am
There's so much in there I relate to... both in the familiar, and in the need to accept that sometimes steps towards progress can be uncomfortable.
Thank you for these words, and good luck with your steps too...xx
Afternoon 😃
I know the steps I must take and know exactly the outcome of each task and what each will achieve. . Just many starting points each with known challenges Xx 😊