STRETCH!

“You know, if there’s one thing I’m grateful for this year, it’s the covid lockdown. As crazy as it sounds.”

Those were my exact words to someone recently; and yes, I’m mega grateful for the lockdown, even though it has been uncomfortable and not convenient.

I can say it has been part of the best months of my life. So far.

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When the lockdown was announced, a lot of things came to mind; it was a kind of bitter-sweet feeling— it still kinda is though— and I wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out.

I already envisioned it was going to be one of the most terrible times to be alive.

True to those thoughts, the first few days/weeks were terrible. I lazied around and about and well, grew fat, lol.

Then I got so restless, and just wanted to have something doing; so I signed up for a number of courses back to back— some free, and some of which I had to pay.

And soon, I got so occupied. So much that I wasn’t even sure I could carry all of them any longer.

I had courses to digest, challenges to attend to and jobs to do, and still had to shuffle between having my own time and doing chores. Phew!

I’m sure a lot of people relate on one or two or all of these levels, but here’s why I’m grateful for the lockdown;
Every now and again, I heard the phrase “move out of your comfort zone”, and if you are like me, each of those times, I was all pumped up and ready to do exactly what the phrase suggests. But somehow, I didn’t exactly meet up.

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Sometimes, well most times, what you need is an external force bigger than you, as well as an equally strong inner force.

When a situation comes to give you a heavy thud, you must have an inner will ready to accommodate it.

The compulsory lockdown was my external push; and my restlessness for some activity, well, that was my inner force willing me to take on more.

Like I said, I got excited and took way more than my physical and mental strength could carry. I was simultaneously taking about three demanding courses online, still doing jobs, still doing the regular homely chores, and a host of other very draining stuff.

When I told people I was busy, most didn’t understand just how much.

…

Part of the reason I took that much at a time was that I realized those opportunities won’t really come swinging by, or perhaps, not that easily. So I jumped right in; all hands and feet and held on.

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Sometimes, a situation comes at your inconvenience. Sometimes, the most uncomfortable experiences stretch you beyond yourself and beyond your limits. But they can only stretch you to the extent you allow it— or if at all.

It all, however, depends on the degree you allow it.

In the past few months— since the lockdown, that is— I’ve received compliments like
” You’re such a confident person.”
“I love what you do and how fiercely you do it.”
“Ah ah, business mind.”
“You have greatly improved”…

I do cherish those compliments, and yes, I have improved; I have grown my mind, and I have become more confident.

If you had met me before the lockdown, you would have been singing a different tune. I have learned so much, I cannot but be grateful for this season.

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When next an uncomfortable situation comes around, don’t cower nor should you just let it inconvenience you for free; learn from it and grow.

Expand your capacity, stretch your mind, and extend your limits— who even told you that you have a limit to yourself? Or that you should have one?

You’ve read this far, great! Here’s all I want you to do; stretch yourself a little more. And when you’re done, stretch some more.

I’m still learning this, and I’d encourage you to do too. That is how you actually step out of your comfort zone.

I’m excited I’m growing; are you?

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Check back again, as often as you breathe.

Sending love and light your way.

Cheers to steady growth,

Zoey.