Do you find yourself getting excited about the longer days, clearer skies, and blossoming nature? I certainly do!
Even after living in The Netherlands for seven years, I still cherish every spring as if it were my first. Every daffodil on the street and every tree sprouting new leaves fills me with awe and appreciation for the beauty surrounding me. It truly makes me feel alive.
Although most days are still quite cold (around 10 degrees Celsius), the presence of sunlight significantly impacts how I feel and my overall energy levels. The reason is simple: sunlight exposure stimulates the release of serotonin, often known as the "feel-good" neurotransmitter, which can boost mood and foster feelings of happiness and well-being. Personally, I find that natural light from the outdoors illuminates my inner light and helps to shed the remnants of winter. This enables me to get rid of whatever is no longer serving me, such as negative emotions and habits accumulated during the colder months.
If you feel like you've been stagnant during the winter and haven't quite started the year as you hoped, then here's your chance!
Utilize the energy of growth and renewal in the air to fuel your drive for change. Just today, my yoga teacher explained that according to Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga, spring is the strongest season of all, filling us with energy and strength from the earth and water elements.
So the most important thing you need to do is to - STEP OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.
Staying within your comfort zone won't lead to growth because growth doesn't come from comfort. The comfort zone is one of the biggest obstacles to realizing human potential.
Like many of us, you've likely become accustomed to the endless comfort our modern world provides: whether it's working from the comfort of your home, wearing mostly sneakers (with sweatpants for full vibe), ordering food instead of cooking or watching the latest movie from your couch.
During the winter, these habits can become even more ingrained as we spend more time indoors, finding excuses to avoid exercise, exploring new activities, or visiting friends.
Often, we remain stuck in the energy and pace of the previous season, even as the world around us changes with growth and new opportunities.
Another good reason to step out of your comfort zone is that it helps you develop a GROWTH MINDSET. With a growth mindset, you embrace challenges, mistakes, and failures as an essential part of the learning journey. You're not afraid of trying new things, and don't fear failure because you know it's necessary for growth.
It's the same mindset you had in your childhood, where every day brought new challenges that pushed you out of your comfort zone. Learning to walk, talk, ride a bike, and make friends - each experience was a "first time" that expanded your abilities.
Remember how thrilling it was?
So why not maintain this growth mindset as adults?
Although the term "grown-up" implies we've stopped growing, that's far from the truth. We should continue to evolve throughout our lives. It's our innate gift as humans - we are limitless, and we have the choice to keep growing and developing as much as we want.
Being limitless means EMBRACING DISCOMFORT.
I challenge myself daily with cold plunges, facing an inner struggle every time. Initially, it's tough, but as I immerse myself in the cold water, I can find comfort in the discomfort, as I surrender, and ultimately experience pleasure. This allows me to celebrate a small victory daily, which is incredibly empowering. With time, it builds confidence, courage, and self-esteem.
Start today by introducing ONE NEW THING to your routine - it could be as simple as tasting a new dish, going out to a place you've never been to, experimenting with a new sport, or dressing in a different style. As long as it makes you feel awkward, it's good.
Like everything else, stepping out of your comfort zone is a skill you need to practice. The more you do it, the easier it will become until your discomfort becomes your new comfort. Then, challenge yourself again. and again. and again.
There's no better way to practice it than by joining my 7-day "BREAK YOUR BOUNDARIES" CHALLENGE.
Download the challenge page to step out of your comfort zone every day by introducing a new activity such as:
Start a conversation with a stranger.
Disconnect from technology for an entire day.
Wear a bold outfit.
Cook a new recipe.
Experience vulnerability by opening up to a friend.
Practice a balance pose you never tried before.
Say no to something you’d normally say yes to please others.
Say yes to something you’d normally say no.
Return a dish you didn’t like in a restaurant.
Start learning a new language.
Taking risks and taking action will build your resilience, help you evolve into the fullest version of yourself and live your desired life.
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