What’s Wrong with Comfort?

If you hang out with artsy types, like I do, I’m sure you’ve heard this one about a hundred times.

“I need to get out of my comfort zone.”

A talented painter I know recently commented that, because she has been “trapped” in representational art, which she loves to do and does it exquisitely, she needs to work more abstract.  If you are moved to “loosen up,” go for it, but don’t do it because of some false feeling of “getting out of your comfort zone.”  It is a fine thing to refresh your muse, but working in a color, style, or medium that you don’t love (for one reason or another) is silly. Once in a while, it’s nice to shake out the cobwebs, but only if it is rewarding.

“I need to get out of my comfort zone.”

I was just about to march to that tune, when Miss Muse thumped me and asked me why I thought we should be uncomfortable.

“Well, to be creative,” I thought.

“Are we not creative, now, while we are very comfortable?” she retorted.

Hmmmmmm.  I do feel creative. I feel happy. I feel like I am “in the zone,” and I am comfortable!  What a stupid thing would it be to force myself into something less rewarding – seriously, why rock a boat that is steaming along on a wonderful course?

Miss Muse sends her best from the Comfort Zone.