So this is an interesting topic that I've been thinking about for a while now. Whenever we're given advice as adults about how we can get better about things, we're often told that we need to leave our comfort zone. But for some of us who are twice exceptional, it often contradicts what we were told as kids and teenagers. We're often told that we need to focus on what we're good at, often at the cost of things we love. Experimentation is often frowned upon, unless we're trying to become better at something that society deems important.
So knowing this, what exactly does it mean to step out of your comfort zone according to society? I personally think it means doing something you normally wouldn't that would increase your value to society. So if your a creative like me, it means finding ways to monetize your creativity. Can you try something new that you're not necessarily good at if it doesn't benefit someone apart from you? According to society, no. And that's the problem with this kind of advice. It doesn't take into account how you as a person can grow into the best version of you. Rather, it tries to shape you into the best version for society. And when you're neurodivergent, then it actively encourages you to suppress parts of you that make you not only unique, but valuable. Because if you're anything like me, then you're often asking for advice because you're not only trying to find happiness, but also a sense of belonging and use.
Eventually, the advice we got as kids and teenagers, and the advice we get as adults becomes contradictory. And that makes it harder for us to make decisions on how to move forward. We need to emphasize from a young age that it's okay to try things you love, even if you aren't necessarily good at it. In order to learn what you're supposed to do, you often have to take some risks. And I think that's what it means to leave your comfort zone.
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