Your Comfort Zone is Killing You
Embracing the uncomfortable.. This sounds like such a backwards concept.
After all, why wouldn’t someone just want to be comfortable?
I’m not talking about ice baths, extreme diets, taking up CrossFit or setting yourself some kind of 28 day challenge.
While I could dive into those ideas, I feel like there are a lot of parallels with them and creativity.
What is our creative comfort zone?
It could be...
A rut
Plateau
Being stuck in some kind of way
Recycling ideas over and over
Listening to the same music you’ve always listened to
Doing the same things you’ve always done
Sticking to what you know
Before I keep going, that's not to say that having your favourite music or tastes is strictly a bad thing. I'm not calling anybody out for liking what they like.
But, if you feel stuck or find yourself in a place where you want to change but think you can't, then these things are all inhibitors or growth and development. They can kill our creativity and prevent new ideas from coming to us.
So, what are some simple ways we can get out of our creative comfort zone?
Listen to new music, experience new art, have some kind of fresh stimulus. We all have our favourite go-to playlists or artists. But sometimes that becomes a habit. Try listening to something new and finding fresh inspiration. The idea of this is to find inspiration beyond ones own self-imposed boundary.
Practice something new on your instrument (or some new production techniques if you don’t play). Or, take up a whole new instrument altogether if you are up for the challenge. Different instruments give us fresh perspective on music in all sorts of ways; how we approach rhythm, the types of melodies we might play, how to structure chords and harmony, ideas on how to arrange instrumentation differently.
Write in a new genre. Each genre has its own things that make it unique. Its own niches. And, while music is music, there’s always something to learn from a different style of music - compositional tools, writing methods, and production techniques. Even new philosophies around how to approach music and songwriting.
Take a break. That’s it, just stop. Take your foot off the gas and get away from the grind for a minute. As creatives, part of our process is recharging and receiving input. So, if you find yourself running on empty, this is a reminder to give yourself permission to not have to be productive. For yourself, and for your creativity.
Get outside. Similarly to the point above, connecting with nature is a great way to reset our minds and bodies. Get away from the screens and embrace feeling present outdoors somewhere - waves on your feet, air on your face, the challenge of pushing your body up the hill on that hike. Whatever you enjoy doing.
Wrapping Up
There are many iterations of this phrase, but one I like is “The magic you’re looking for is in the thing you’re not doing”. When we all fall into habits and ruts we avoid the things that we need to do. Release the song, post on social media, reach out to that person you’re wanting to connect to, I could go on.
Go be uncomfortable. Embrace it. get used to it. Start calling it your friend.
You’ll find yourself willingly trying new things, having a breakthrough you’ve been wanting (or unexpected ones you didn’t even consider), and feeling more present and connected with yourself.
I know this post could sound very woo-woo.
(Trust me, I’m like the last person to buy into that stuff).
But, honestly, I believe it’s true and not woo-woo at all once you give it a try. You might even find some things that resonate and become your new normal - and your creative output will be all the better for it.