I Broke Out of My Comfort Zone

The unpleasant feeling of anxiousness

Last March, I’ve written a story about the benefits of staying in your comfort zone. It was a response to people bugging me to step up the career ladder, again. I was so tired, I wanted to rest, I wanted to breathe, I don’t want the pay raise, and I don't want the prestige. I don’t have the energy for another life challenge.

But when your conscience starts bugging you, you can never resist. It’s a clue that you are “called”. My mind tells “no” but my heart says I have to go. I submitted an application letter. The simple letter resulted in a series of exams, interviews, and today the last salvo — my panel interview with the highest executives of the Office.

I didn’t prepare for that interview as I want to be scrutinized unfiltered. I don’t want to impress as I want them to see the real me and assess if I’m really qualified. But even if I planned to be average, I think I still did better.

Now, I’m afraid. After I broke out of my comfort bubble, I’m now in the land of the unknown. What if I’ll get accepted? Imagining the number of responsibilities that I will soon handle gives me so much anxiety. Now I’m afraid to get the post. I’m scolding myself for letting me out of my comfort zone.

To you psychologists out there, what can you advise me?

To my Medium friends, this is a developing story. I will write again as soon as the result of my application is out. Thank you for letting me share what I felt today.