about inspired

Stepping into the raft, I immediately found a spot that allowed me to grab the rope and wrap my hand around it. Holding on to it gave me a sense of safety and security.

“Jackie, the water is calm and not deep,” my husband said.

“I don’t care. I don’t know how to swim,” I replied. 

There was no way that I was letting go of the rope. I was in my comfort zone. Besides, holding it did not prevent me from hearing the guide tell us how the lake was formed hundreds of years ago by the melting of Alaskan glaciers. Nor did it take away from my appreciation of the beauty of Alaska as we drifted down the lake. The vivid memories of almost drowning as a child meant that this was my spot, and there was no moving me.

Fast forward several years later, a major life event caused me to reevaluate the need to stay in my comfort zone. After 27 years of working at my former company, I was downsized. As part of my package, I attended a placement service to help me find another job. During the meetings, I kept asking myself, “Why am I trying to go back into an industry that I no longer enjoy? The logical answer was that I was doing it because it was what I knew, I was successful at it, and it was safe.

Over time, I came to realize that if I chose to stay in my comfort zone, it would stunt my personal growth. All the “what if” thoughts about what would make me happy or “what if I could do…” started running through my mind. I had finally reached the now-or-never point of my life. Just maybe this was the push that I needed for self-discovery, re-discovery, and learning the power of stepping out of my comfort zone.

I wish I could tell you that stepping out was easy. I wish I could tell you that instantly, I knew what I wanted to do and what would make me happy. But that is not the case. A few weeks ago, I came across the quote from an unknown author.

It made me realize that I learned and now live the truth of that quote by stepping out of my comfort zone. But lessons are meant to be shared, and this is what I learned.

It is hard to go after what you want if you do not know what it is.  I spent countless hours, days, and even months trying to figure out what I wanted. There were times that I severely questioned myself. “How could I leave what I knew only to be now living with so much uncertainty?”  During this time, it also did not help meeting people in situations similar to mine who knew exactly what they wanted to do next. Yes, I was a bit envious, but I knew I just had to trust that the answers would come.

I started making a list of all the things that I enjoyed doing.  This included a list of the transferable talents and skills I enjoyed using.  In the short term, how could I combine what I love and my skills to make a living?  I enjoyed sales, so I worked as an Independent Consultant for one of my husband’s clients to help them develop an event center. I received a Certificate in Interior Design while working at my former company.  So, I started working with my friend at her design firm.

Over time, the questions found answers. Both of these positions gave me the opportunity to step out of my corporate mindset and be creative. I knew that the ability to be creative was at the heart of what I wanted to do next.  

For the first time after many years, I was happy with what I was doing.  But there was still the nagging feeling that I was not doing what I truly wanted to do.  I had not found my purpose, my why.  This is the thing that is so meaningful to you that it is like an itch that does not go away.  

Friends and family started asking me for advice because they were either going through downsizing or were ready to do something different. That led to me creating the Life 2.0 Community, which provided workshops on how to create your “what’s next” in life.  

A few years later, a friend told me about an opportunity to host a local cable TV show. We went to the studio and pitched the idea for “The Life 2.0 Show”.  For over four years, we interviewed women who had successfully created their second act in life. The mission of the show was to provide inspiration and resources to help other women pull their dreams “off the back shelf” or dare to imagine something different for themselves. 

But that was not my only ask.  Through a contact, I learned that Queen Latifah was selling her Colts Neck, NJ house.  I asked if my friend, who owned a design firm, and I could stage the home for sale.  Not only did we stage the home, but we also managed the viewing of the home until it was sold.

Another time, I was asked to develop social media posts.  Being self-taught, I decided to take a course to learn and get a certificate in social media. That was a game-changer! My creative side lit up. I can’t tell you how often I lose track of time engrossed in designing posts.

What if I never dared to ask if I could do the cable show or stage the home? Or said no to the opportunity to develop social media posts? In all three cases, I was clearly out of my comfort zone.  But asking and saying yes gave me the opportunity to grow and do things I had never before imagined.

It is so easy to stay within our comfort zone.  After all, it does serve a purpose. Comfort zones are like warm embraces that keep us feeling safe and secure. When we are in our normal routine, mentally and emotionally, we feel good.  

But as the saying goes, “Nothing ventured, nothing gained" can keep us from moving forward and discovering self-discovery, and growth. Every step that I have taken away from my comfort zone has allowed me to take some risks, and do something new and different. But more importantly, it has led me to my purpose.

The Life 2.0 Community evolved into The Life 2.0 Show, which has now evolved into Second Act Inspiration. Through the blogs of Second Act Inspiration, my purpose is to inspire, encourage, and support women over 50 and beyond to: 

1.  remain curious,

2.  never stop seeking adventure, 

3.  and self-discovery.  

And, here is something else that I have learned by stepping forward. Stepping forward has allowed me to expand the space I live in and seek new experiences. I have also learned to embrace discomfort and self-doubt with the confidence of knowing that it will make me a better person.