My nail lady, Marisa, loves to try to talk me into choosing color changing nail polish.
Yes. I have a nail lady.
I’ve been seeing her to get gel polish on my nails once every 3 weeks for the past 12 years. She is, hands down (get it?), the BEST and most perfect nail lady on the planet. (No, I’m not biased – and yes, she’s still all booked so, no, you can’t make an appointment with her.)
Do you all know about color changing nail polish? It is nail polish that is one color when your hands are warm and changes to a completely different color when your hands are cold.
Color changing nail polish is fun and unpredictable and brave. And apparently, even after spending 200 hours with me, Marisa sometimes forgets that I am none of these things.
A few months ago she showed me a color changing polish that is not so fun, a little more predictable, and only a little, tiny bit brave. I let her try it. I loved it. It is pale-ish pink when my hands are warm and a dark, dark gray when my hands are cold. I get to feel like me with either color – but secretly, when I’m wearing it, I know that I’ve pushed myself a little past what feels most safe.
I used to hate it when someone would tell me I had to get outside my comfort zone. I tend to want to rebel against that wisdom and stay right where I am – safe and sound and static, thank you.
But static means unchanging and undeviating and fixed and lacking in movement. So when I really think about it, out of my comfort zone is exactly where I would like to be.
(Source: PositivePsychology.com ‘Leaving The Comfort Zone’ Toolkit)
The more we can move past our comfort and fear and into our learning and growth, the more (as the chart above shows) we can find our purpose, live our dreams, set new goals, and realize our aspirations.
Every now and then I still go back to a plain old nail color that is much ‘safer’ and 0% brave – and I’ve allowed myself a little grace to know that safe is ok, too. Marisa doesn’t even fight me on it.
Oliver Page, M.D., says “In reality, the process of moving from the comfort zone to a growth zone may not be linear. Peaks, troughs, and plateaus often complicate the journey. Sometimes, we even need to retreat to the comfort zone periodically before mustering the strength to leave again. Nevertheless, appreciating the steps can help in tolerating uncertainty.”
For me, that silly color changing nail polish is one reminder that even though life is complicated, I AM growing.
I can’t wait to hear about how you’re growing, too.
And if you’re stuck, I’d love to help.
Just don’t call Marisa. She’s booked, remember?
