Leaving your comfort zone isn’t comforting, but it will do you good
You know those quotes you read online about comfort zones?
Magic happens outside your comfort zone.
Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.
Great things never came from comfort zones.
I agree with them. I am fully convinced that stepping out of your comfort zone every now and then is necessary. Leaving your comfort zone isn’t comforting, but it will do you loads of good.
Why you need to step out of your comfort zone sometimes
You don’t want to live on autopilot. Why would you? That’s like living life in a coma.
You wouldn’t know what you’re capable of otherwise. Prepare to surprise yourself at all the stuff you previously thought you couldn’t do but actually could.
You will grow as a person. Getting scared has its benefits. Doing things that scare you is tough, risky, and downright nerve-racking. This compels you to stretch your courage muscle, though. It helps you learn how to face – and maybe even conquer! – fear.
You’ll discover new hobbies to enjoy. You don’t know which activities you’ll enjoy unless you try them. And even if you don’t end up liking a new activity, the experience itself will at least help you understand yourself more.
It doesn’t even have to be a death-defying stunt to count
An example of leaving my personal comfort zone would be all my surfing trips, including my weekend in Baler a couple of years ago. Each and every time, right before I face the waves, I’d waver and question my decision to surf and wonder why I do the things I do. Each and every time, after having successfully surfed the waves, I’d be deliriously happy and affirm the joy I feel of being alive and well.
Stepping out of the security of your comfort zone doesn’t have to be death-defying stunt nor a drawn-out and well-executed plan to count, however. It doesn’t even have to be physical. If you’re an introvert, say, consider the simple act of greeting your new neighbor “Hi!” a victory in itself. 🙂 It’s about doing something new and challenging that’ll hopefully stretch you and mold you into a better person.
It’s helluva scary to step into the unfamiliar. (I still remember the time I almost died of embarrassment right before I jumped off a cliff at Ariel’s Point in Boracay, but that’s fodder for another story.) But it also just might be the cathartic experience you need.
Tips for those who wish to visit Baler
Accommodation
Baler is a popular surf destination. Expect loads of tourists especially in the summer season. I strongly advise you to get room reservations else you might not have any place to stay the night. Transient homes and rooms for rent are also available for those on a budget.
Travel time
It’s around 5 hours away from Metro Manila by bus. Contact Genesis’s JoyBus for their bus schedules.
Pasalubong
For pasalubong (travel souvenirs Filipinos usually gift their loved ones back home), Nanay Pacing’s peanut butter is a favorite. It’s best to order beforehand as they run out quickly.
Non-surf activities
Other places of interest include Museo de Baler, Asia’s largest Balete (Banyan) tree, and the 1735 tsunami marker.
A note on surfing
Surfing can get physically strenuous. If you have a health concern (like heart ailments or knee issues), then it might be a good idea to get cleared by your doctor first. Better safe than sorry.
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The first image is from Flickr. The second image is from Lanie Lagrimas. The third image is from Flickr user Shubert Ciencia.
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