I No Longer Have a Comfort Zone

Life is full of decisions, some of which I find can be incredibly difficult to make.

As I navigate the complexities of modern life, new work roles and family, I often feel as though there is no such thing as my "comfort zone" anymore. I am constantly outside mine!

The pace of change can sometimes be relentless, and it can be difficult to keep up with all the latest developments. In this article, I will try to explore some of the challenges that I seem to face when trying to make decisions in an ever-changing world. These are purely my opinions and I know some will feel very differently about it all. As April is Stress Awareness Month and we at Equitas are campaigning for awareness within the equestrian industry, my comfort zone is something I have to get used to stepping outside of.

One of the biggest challenges that I face when trying to make decisions is the sheer amount of information that is available - everywhere.

With the rise of Artificial Intelligence and social media, we are constantly bombarded with news, opinions, and advice from all corners of the globe. This can make it incredibly difficult to filter out the noise and focus on the things that really matter. In many cases, people end up feeling overwhelmed and paralyzed by the sheer amount of information that they have to process.

For me, this is where my horses come in - they give me the space and peace of mind to momentarily filter out the noise.

Every person's horse is different to them in different ways. Sometimes just the smell of horse and a little chat is enough to change my entire mindframe.

Another challenge people face is the fact that the world is becoming more and more complex...

As technology advances and society becomes more interconnected, it can be difficult to understand how all the pieces fit together. This can make it difficult to predict the consequences of our actions, and it can be hard to know what the right decision is in any given situation.

As a result, I feel like I am constantly second-guessing myself and never really sure if I am making the right choice.

With the help of the Equitas community and the trust that Sarah and Shane have placed in me becoming a quasi- cofounder, my inner confidence is growing at a huge rate. This, in turn, throws me constantly out of my comfort zone. I have come to the conclusion that this is something I will have to give myself coping mechanisms to deal with. One of my usual "go to's" for silencing my inner critic, is to simply go for a hack on my horse. No pressure - just a nice quiet time spent listening to hooves on the road - although sometimes, those hooves have other plans!

The pace at which life can change is also a major factor in the difficulty of decision-making for me. Growing up, I very much jumped in head first and thought about consequences later. The older I get, the more ‘my comfort zone’ dictates how I react to situations. My decision-making process is very different now - maybe this is what adulthood feels like!

I now have a newfound love of a good organisational chart, calendar and list. The young Muireann would be horrified!

As new technologies and social trends emerge, it can be difficult to keep up with the latest developments. This can lead to a sense of disorientation and a feeling of being left behind. For many people, this can be a major source of anxiety and stress, and it can make it even harder to make important decisions.

Now that I am working within the social media sphere, it is obviously very important to stay up to date and if I’m being honest - this is so far outside my comfort zone, I am nearly sure I am now in someone else’s!

Horses don’t tend to care if I don’t make a sufficient media plan or I forgot to brush my hair for a livestream. Now these are things I really need to focus and concentrate on - this will be a steep learning curve and one I can not wait to take on.

Despite these challenges, it is important to remember that decision-making is a skill that can I am sure can be developed and honed over time. By taking a proactive approach to decision-making, and by seeking out information and advice from trusted sources, it is possible to make good decisions even in the face of uncertainty and complexity.

My key is to stay focused, remain open to new information, and be willing to take calculated risks when necessary. Ultimately, I have to accept stepping out of my comfort zone more than ever, but by embracing change and learning to make good decisions in a rapidly evolving world, I have found a sense of purpose and fulfilment in Equitas.

This is my world now and I will happily live in it - outside my comfort zone.