Taking Risks and Moving Out of Your Comfort Zone
The older I get the more I learn that in order to really grow you have to step out of your comfort zone. It is so easy to stay stagnant and safe, but it’s only when you try new things that your confidence and abilities grow.
This spring we plan to move to New York City for just a little while at first. We plan to live in New York between 2 -4 weeks just to get our feet wet and to get a feel for the city. After all, we’re all southerners at heart — born and raised — and moving to a sprawling metropolis is not something you just do without a plan or forethought.
After our brief stay in New York we’ll decide whether a semi-permanent move is in the cards. We’ll try a year’s stay and then maybe make a permanent move on a 3-4 year plan.
Living in New York City has always been one of my dreams even though I love living in one of the most beautiful states in the country.
I am really looking forward to pounding the Manhattan pavement this spring!
Always challenge yourself to take chances and grow from them. Learning to take risks is what I am steadily learning to do and am a better person for it.
Photo: New York City — Summer 2010.
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[...] it all sounds fabulous. I’d love to pick up and move my family to France for a year or to New York City for a a month. Or to enjoy all-expense paid jaunts here there and everywhere. Or to work my [...]
I think you’ll like it here. Just think of all the traveling you’ll cut down on…to here anyway :) Looking forward to having you in the Big Apple.
So true! I can’t wait to be in NYC.
I am jealous in a way, was just thinking about what it would be like to actually live in the city. Congratulations for stepping outside the box, and good luck in all your decision making :)
Thank you! This is a growing year for me and my family. We figure we only live once.
Good for you! A new city means a new point of view, new energy, new friends and can be such a huge creative boost– not to mention all of the fab food and culture that’s at your finger tips. I lived and worked in NYC for a number of years and loved it ! Would move back in a minute but my husband is a country boy :-) so I must be content with traveling back and forth. I think it’s great you are challenging yourself and getting out of your comfort zone. We all need to remind ourselves to do so because it’s the only way we grow. Congrats on taking the leap of faith!
Thank you! Yes — a new point of view. That’s what I am really seeking.
Wow! That’s really exciting, Jennifer. Can’t wait ’til you’re my neighbor!
Me, too :)
I am ALL for taking risks — it feels so fabulous to meet the challenge and feel the rush of “I DID IT!”
I would love to be NYC for lots of reasons — but I am a Canadian, LOL. SO I will just stick to life here. :)
Wow! That’s a big move! Good luck to you! :)
Thank you.
Wow! Such a big step, but I love the way you are going about it. I don’t think I could ever leave these beautiful mountains, but I do love to visit NYC!
The mountains are beautiful and Asheville is just a nice place to live! We were even thinking about living in Asheville for awhile, too. Maybe this summer…
I’m so envious! I’ve only been to NYC one time and just loved it! If we didn’t have kids, I could SO see living there for a while….although, being dairy farmers, it would be difficult to move our business over:)
Can’t wait to hear all about it!
NYC is wonderful! But it must be amazing living on a dairy farm, too. Your photos are amazing!
This is wonderful news (for us New Yorkers). So excited for your move! :-)
And yes, I totally agree – so easy to remain stagnant/comfortable, but change can be GREAT! Reminds me of one of my fav books: “Who Moved My Cheese.”
I’ll have to look into that book.
Totally jealous – I love NYC but honestly would just want to move closer and not in the city. I so agree bold moves are important, though scary. Good luck and glad I will (hopefully) see more of you
How exciting!! I love that you all are taking the plunge. I always KNEW I would live in NYC when I “grew up.” During law school I worked there for a summer and decided that I couldn’t take it. Apparently I am a Suburbs Gal at heart and couldn’t deal with the noise, garbage (sorry), and lack of grocery stores, lol. But there is no denying that the city is energizing and exciting. Can’t wait to hear what you think!!
And it smells like pee around Central Park, lol. That’s why we have to take it slow. I’ve lived in NC all my life. NYC is a huge change from the Tar Heel State.
One last note: Design Mom took a risk too and moved her family to France. I will be living vicariously through both of your blogs!!
I know! Isn’t it amazing. I’ve been reading her and her sister’s blogs incessantly.
Wow! You go Girl!
Given our lack of success in finding a house, I do wonder if there’s a larger message, but one of my boys is flexible and the other does not do so well with transition, so I think we’ll stay in the area. I’ll depend on peeps like you to make my life more exciting.
Ha! I’ll try to be exciting. I think I just want to do something different and try something new.
That sounds like such an adventure, and I love a great adventure. I can’t wait to read about your experiences.
NYC can’t wait to welcome you!
Thank you, Mitch :)
How awesome of an experience! I have to admit I am from Long Island NY about 40 minutes from NYC and while I love visiting when I lived there, was nothing like driving or taking the train back home to the suburbs. Have you ever considered in living in the suburbs just right outside Manhattan?
I am actually on my way to moving back to NC from Hawaii :)
I am sure you will enjoy no matter what your choice is !!!
Very exciting!!
You are totally right about having to step out of your comfort zone in order to continue growing and learning. NYC is a huge move..so huge things should continue coming your way.
I do admire you have a plan and are taking it slow to make sure you can adapt.
New York rings a bell for me. I lived there for many years and enjoyed it. I worked as an retail/wholesale sales person. I ventured into every crack and corner of of that state, due to the fact that it was my sales territory
I am no longer in in NY. I relocated to TN. which has been a wonderful experience.
Before the move I did a lot of research as to the area, population, crime etc. to find out everything about my town, which was quite helpful. I have not been disappointed.
The one thing I had to get used to was the difference in pace, compared to NY. What a difference. I do miss New York and its pace. If you have a dream, I do say follow it. This eliminates, “what if”. Good luck to you.
Wow! I can’t wait to follow your adventures in NYC. What a change that will be. :)
And, yes…being out of your comfort zone is the best way to grow. It’s also terrifying and hard, but…good too.