Explore the world outside your comfort zone

Last year at about this exact time, I was in the process of packing up my life, saying goodbye to friends and co-workers in Saint Louis to head in a new direction, Libby. While some friends were supportive and excited for me to begin a new path, others were confused and unsure why I would leave a solid career and lifestyle to move to a small town in northwest Montana. I had plenty of freak out moments, believe me there were a lot, but I knew deep down that I wanted more out of life. In order for me to find “more,” I had to get away from my comfort zone and explore.  

Getting out of this comfy zone is scary. I was terrified, nervous, excited, loving it and hating it all at the same time. I went through a roller coaster of emotions, but guess what ... I made it across the bridge to the other side, and the other side of the bridge is pretty darn awesome. The Kootenai River Valley is a hidden gem and I want to share it with everyone I know back in the Midwest.  

I want to share my new love of this place because it is my home. It has allowed me to finally be me and have the balance that I so desire in life. Since moving here I have been able to connect and build strong relationships with so many people at all walks of life. I am more involved in the community here than I ever was in the bigger cities that I lived in the past. I was able to start my own business and now expand that business to better serve my clients and promote healthy living on a broader scale in the community. I get to sit on my back porch, write this column and chat with my hubby while my puppies play in the yard.  

I never thought life could be this good. Sometimes you have to struggle, drag your feet and feel uncomfortable to get to the good feelings, just like exercise and eating well. Sometimes you dread getting up early in the morning because it is cold or you feel extra tired, but you force yourself to get through it, and then voila you feel great and ready to take on the world. A moment of struggle has turned into success and a feeling of achievement. I feel as though this is true of so many things in life. We must acknowledge the hard and gross feelings in order to move towards happiness and success. We all go through it. Now let’s continue or start building the good life.

Liz Whalen is a personal trainer and health fitness specialist who lives and works in Libby. She also blogs at lizwhalenhfs.com.