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Motivational Monday…Leaving the Comfort Zone

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Home Stager

Motivational Monday…Leaving the Comfort Zone



You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore. 

William Faulkner

 

When I read this quote, I thought of our AR member, Joan Cox, who relocated to Portugal.  You can read her post and follow her adventures on her blog or on Facebook.

 

 

I’m not sure how many of us would willingly move to another country unless it were for work. It would mean leaving behind the people, places, and routines that feel familiar and stepping into the uncertainty of the unknown. 

 

There’s nothing wrong or unusual with wanting to stay in our comfort zone.  However, experiencing change and doing something we’ve never done adds a rich layer to our lives. 

 

Maybe it’s as simple as getting your Broker’s license or leaving the firm you’re with. Becoming an agent may have meant leaving a steady paycheck to the uncertainty of earning a commission. 

 

Tips to Give You That Nudge…

 

-Start with something small outside your comfort zone. Try the new pizza place you’ve heard about instead of your standby!

 

-If there’s something you’ve wanted to do, stop waiting for the perfect time. There will never be the perfect time, and it becomes a crutch to keep you where you are. 

 

-Have “go for it” people in your inner circle

Their positive attitude will help to keep you motivated.

 

-Think about something you’d never tried and the success you had with it. Remember how it made you feel!

 



This week, think about what you want
to check off your bucket list.

 

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments(18)

Show All Comments Sort:
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Kathy, funny, when I read your title, I was thinking - YEP I got out of my comfort zone, and STILL looking for a smothered green chile burrito!    LOL   Seriously, it is all about learning other cultures, different landscapes and foods.   So far, every day reveals something new!

May 18, 2026 04:51 AM
Kathy Streib

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner I've loved seeing your updates and photos as well. You're maximizing your retirement!!!

May 18, 2026 07:40 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

I totally agree with this! I'm very happy with where my life is right now and at the same time I'm always looking for what might be next in terms of adventure, trying new things, etc. Our life is for living but many don't actually live - they're just alive.

May 18, 2026 05:13 AM
Kathy Streib

Kat Palmiotti I also thought of you and Anthony and your move to Kalispell. A friend I have who has been unhappy in her marriage told me once she was biding her time. I said "For what???" 

May 18, 2026 07:41 PM
Kat Palmiotti

Kathy Streib - exactly, for what? None of us is guaranteed more time.

May 19, 2026 05:22 AM
Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

This is such a good reminder that growth usually begins right outside the comfort zone. Real estate alone teaches us that most big life changes come with uncertainty, whether it is changing careers, moving to a new area, or starting over completely. I also agree there is never really a “perfect time” to make a change. Sometimes taking one small step forward is what builds the confidence for the next one. Very encouraging Monday message.

May 18, 2026 05:41 AM
Kathy Streib

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518 Thank you. I'd lived in the same city until I was 37. After the initial move, I was ready to move again!  

May 18, 2026 07:43 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Retired Real Estate Broker

Kathy Streib   Excuse me, but we Portuguese are a friendly people and our way of life breeds longevity. Why wouldn't she move there.

May 18, 2026 05:48 AM
Kathy Streib

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 years ago, I wanted to move to Australia. No particular reason. I know I'd love Portugal. A good friend was born there. 

May 18, 2026 07:44 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Good morning, Kathy... I've gone outside my comfort zone many times, both in terms of moving and in terms of jobs. After you do it once and realize you've survived, it gets easier each time you do.

May 18, 2026 05:57 AM
Kathy Streib

Nina Hollander, Broker I've not moved overseas but it was a huge shock for this Texas gal when we moved to South FL. However after that shock wore off, I told Larry I could move again. 

May 18, 2026 07:45 PM
Marie-Noelle Metseye
RE/MAX Northwest - Bothell, WA
Reward Trust with Excellence

Such a great reminder that growth rarely happens inside our comfort zone. Sometimes the smallest step into the unknown can completely change the direction of our lives in the best way possible ✨

May 18, 2026 06:57 AM
Kathy Streib

Marie-Noelle Metseye  I agree. It doesn't have to be as big as moving to another country. It's taking a step to do something you've never done. 

May 18, 2026 07:47 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I have never considered a move to another country. I will be interesting to follow the stories shared by Joan. 

 

May 18, 2026 07:09 AM
Kathy Streib

Roy Kelley Same here!   It was hard enough for me to move away from Texas the first time. 

May 18, 2026 07:48 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I did not know that Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner relocated to Portugal, but I have heard of quite a few people doing that or at least desiring to do so.

May 18, 2026 07:34 AM
Kathy Streib

Brian England she's been planning it for over a year.  She's settling into retirement. 

May 18, 2026 07:49 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Author, Golfer, Traveler, Retired, Wenatchee, WA

Good morning, Kathy.
As you know, I'm not afraid to get out of my comfort zone, but I don't think I'd ever move to another country on my own. I don't have any bucket list things I want to do, but I do want to keep learning and meeting people wherever I go.

May 18, 2026 08:10 AM
Kathy Streib

Carol Williams I admire how you take these BIG road trips on your own!!!  And yes...keep learning.

May 18, 2026 07:56 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Kathy these are all good points, especially:

"Their positive attitude will help to keep you motivated."

May 18, 2026 09:04 AM
Kathy Streib

George Souto the last thing you want to do is have people around you who don't encourage you. 

May 18, 2026 07:57 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

People always say to Annie and I that we are lucky to travel so much. My answer is that you only have to book the tickets and you can go too. Life is an adventure and it is what you make it.

May 18, 2026 09:07 AM
Kathy Streib

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 What a great attitude!!! You found your match with Annie!!!

May 18, 2026 07:57 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Kathy,

What a great post! Going out of our comfort zone isn't always easy but gets easier the more we give it a try!

May 18, 2026 11:31 AM
Kathy Streib

Thank you Dorie Dillard Austin TX  You make a good point...it does get easier the more we try it. 

May 18, 2026 07:58 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I had to laugh...outside my comfort zone is pretty much everywhere these days!

I cannot imagine moving to another country. Yes, I am currently on my sixth trip to Germany, but having a daughter living there and being your personal travel guide is the only reason why. LOL

May 19, 2026 01:29 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Moving to NW AZ from NW IN was indeed out of our comfort zones especially when this move was in our 60's and 70's respectfully.  Such moves can be large to even small. The goal is to keep moving and moving toward one's desired results. 

May 23, 2026 07:33 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Retired Real Estate Broker

How about this, you featured something I read.  Went to Italy, and in Rome, had an audience with the Pope. Went to Portugal. Spain, Greece and the Greek isles, Cyprus, Germany/ Brazil, Venezuela, Australia, and New Zealand, and still not done, Kathy Streib .  That covers a few zones, comfort and time

May 23, 2026 09:56 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Just like anything that takes a little practice, once you get the rhythm, it gets easier and easier And just answer your life so much more just through the experiences  you have.

May 23, 2026 11:50 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I love coming back to this one to look at what everybody else is contributing and I largely agree with everything. Let’s find the fun and things and the meaning in things.

May 28, 2026 10:07 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

I am also loving following Joan's Journey. It's important to keep stretching ourselves and getting out of those boxes.

May 31, 2026 09:07 AM