The Comfort Zone

Someone once said to me that "nothing worthwhile is ever achieved within one's comfort zone." There is a ring of truth to that, although of course with all vague, open, generalistic statements it probably doesn't stand up to rigorous examination. Sleep, for instance, a thoroughly engaging and indispensable activity best achieved at the very kernel of one's comfort zone, might be one glaring exception that I would find hard to argue against. However, the general principle of the statement has some merit, and besides, picking holes and splitting hairs is for someone with a more intricate toolset than I am equipped with. I have no microscope, average dexterity, and only rudimentary debating skills in the box. I digress...

Since the (purported) purpose of this diary is to document my thoughts, feelings and actions associated with the departure from the 'comfort zone,' on an (arguably) intrepid journey into the unknown, it's worth pausing for a moment to consider what we are leaving behind...

18 relatively successful years in financial markets has facilitated the establishment of a very agreeable lifestyle.

Home is a large apartment in the centre of a swish part of town, that most visitors seem at pains to compliment. The soon-to-be-completed holiday home in the Swiss Alps could be mortgage-free. Sparkly Aph enjoys a life of leisure (although certainly not idleness!). Nowhere is off the holiday radar, and the mini-Somnambulists jet around Europe on a regular basis. There has been fast living, fast cars (at least one of them was a 'proper' Porsche, before you say a word Mr K!), and the golf handicap is still heading lower.

There are no debts. Financial security means not having to worry about the curly credit card print-outs at the petrol station or at the supermarket. Or, for that matter, about credit cards at all. Or the credit crunch. Until now, credit has been purely something for bestowing on people who have done a satisfactory job.

Speaking of jobs, the current one is pretty good. The pay is great, the career path is gathering momentum, I work with some great people. Sure it has some stress attached, but so do all jobs. I don't really know anyone who isn't occasionally stressed out. A friend of the family used to do make-up for photographic models, and accompanied Patrick Lichfield on several Pirelli Calendar shoots. One of his tasks on tour was to ensure that, when in front of the camera, the girls' main assets were suitably perky, which he achieved with the careful application of melting ice cubes. That job had stress. (A moment's pause to consider the relative virtues of a new career as a make-up artist. Or is it artiste?...)

Re-reading the above, I can imagine that those readers who have got this far into the navel-gazing (and not already clicked the 'Next Blog' button at the top of the page), have probably started to form various opinions. I can imagine thoughts of 'idiot', 'lucky', 'w+nker', and 'get on with it' swirling around. Which one you are thinking very much depends upon how my current comfort zone aligns with your own individual Holy Whales.

As for my own, I'll try and explore why I feel the need to seek elsewhere in further posts...

What's so good about the comfort zone, anyway?

Today is Mutti's birthday, which she is celebrating in an exotic location called Penarth. I don't know where that is, but many, many happy returns all the same, from all the Somnambulistses ;-)