A scary thought came to me while I was preparing to move out of my house. “Holy crap, I’m going to be living out of a suitcase for the next 3 weeks.” Then an even scarier thought hit me: “I’m going to be living out of a suitcase for the next 3-4 MONTHS!”

I”m sure everyone knows the feeling during a vacation or something similar, which often is “I’m having a great time, but I can’t wait to get back to my own bed, things, routine, etc.” Well, from now on that’s not an option for me. I’m facing the daunting realization that my home is sold, my comfy bed is living in a 10X20 storage unit, and my comforting daily routine is nearly at an end.

My comfort zone has been blasted to pieces.

When I’m coaching, I tell people on a daily basis (actually, I yell it): PUT MORE WEIGHT ON THE BAR!!!! You will NEVER get any stronger until you make yourself lift heavier! You never see gains until you push yourself OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!

And I just realized recently that goes for life outside the gym as well. Yet those of you who really know me, know that throughout my life, I have always played it safe. That I am not comfortable with change. That I LOVE my daily routine. It’s safe. It’s predictable. It’s comfortable. But I haven’t been happy. And I never will find happiness, nor get stronger emotionally and mentally, unless I push myself out of my comfort zone. And when that came to me back in February, I forced myself to do the absolute scariest things I have ever done. Sold the house that was my security blanket. Quit the job that I thought I couldn’t do without. Did things that I’d always depended on someone else doing. And now I’m about to undertake a journey for several months by myself, alone, independent.

It will push me out of every single comfort zone I have relied on. And I know, without a doubt, that I will discover I am all I need. That I don’t need anyone else to make decisions for me. That I don’t need anyone else to tell me that I”m worthy. And I will finally discover the most magnificent Alise, who has been hidden deep inside me, just waiting for me to have the courage to let her out.