There is something to be said about predictability; it's comforting, reassuring, and causes a routine based lifestyle, which, as a result, creates a comfort zone. For most, this is normally how life ends up. It's actually a quite good end result, as it promises many positive outcomes. Most people like the fact they have a steady job, good family/friends, the occasional excursion breaking up the monotony. But, for myself, I found this predictability as cause for concern.
Don't get me wrong, I did like (and still do) having a steady job, a great/loving family, unbelievable friends, and my fair share of adventures. Life was not boring, to say the least. But, it was getting a little too predictable. I felt as though my comfort zone had completely engulfed me, handicapping me to some extent. Again, not necessarily bad, but I would argue not completely healthy either.
I found myself not doing certain things just because they weren't part of the daily norm. Small things, big things…it didn't matter. Again, this may stem back to a motivation issue, but I think that the two are related to some degree. This was becoming increasingly frustrating. Not to say you can't be in your comfort zone and still be motivated to pursue creative and different actions, I just found myself (and many around me) struggling to do this (the "predictability" problem).
Further, and maybe even more frustrating, I found that those things which were part of the daily norm were becoming of less and less value. Not because I didn't love or cherish them, rather because I was not truly appreciating what I had. It all became so familiar and common; I was beginning to assume it would always be that way.
Now, however, I've completely removed myself from this established comfort zone…the old era of predictability is no more. Having moved to a completely new city (and country), I find everyday brings a new challenge, however small it may be.
I've found myself to be increasingly more efficient in my actions, wasting much less time doing nothing, as well as more creative and motivated, beginning some projects I had planned for months, if not years -- many things I've thought or planned on doing are actually coming to fruition…it's an exciting feeling when you realize you are learning and expanding.
I also find myself appreciating what I have much more (as opposed to dwelling on what is missing). Even the little things I had grown accustom to have a new value to them. Realizing this has revived my appreciation for many of the things that made up my comfort zone (not to sound cliché, but the little things in life are most valuable).
While I did go to an extreme, leaving everything that was familiar and "easy" a long ways away, I don't believe such a big change and decision is necessary for everyone. I do, however, feel that it is necessary and beneficial to step out of your comfort zone and not be afraid to shake things up.
It is a risk, and you ultimately can't predict how the outcome will play out. It definitely won't be easy, and I think that's why most are satisfied with a sense of predictability…knowing what's ahead definitely has a safe/homely feeling, and I think that feeling is what drives us (or at least did me) to complacency.
Isn't life supposed to be a blank map, as opposed to a planned route? Isn't the beauty of the journey not knowing where or how it will end? I'm not sure (most probably aren't either), and there probably isn't a right/wrong answer (at least no a singular one). Everyone has their own thoughts, creeds, beliefs, which is also part of the beauty of life. We are all free to make our own decisions (keeping in mind not to negatively affect those around us).
What I have began to realize, however, is that removing the aspect of predictability (however large or small) causes you to step out of your comfort zone, which forces you to work that much harder, try some new/crazy things, and ultimately learn something about yourself, which you may not have had the chance to discovery previously. Shattering the complacency of life by removing things that are familiar and close to you can be scary and tough, but it does bring, in the end, something I feel many people never realize or neglect; a sense of appreciation for everyone and everything that make up that comfort zone we are all so reluctant to leave.
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