Change is good. Change brings progress. I
know that. But –
I do not like change. Many people I know do
not either.
Change means the unknown. If I do not know
something, I have no control over it. Not knowing, not being in control signals
vulnerability. Change means a risk of getting hurt. Nobody wants to get hurt.
The possibly of it happening scares us. So, we fear changes.
Change does not have to be big to be scary.
Just think about it. It can be something small, such as reading a book outside
your comfort zone.
I read a wide variety of genres, but there
are a few I prefer to the rest. Reading within my comfort zone is reassuring
because I know what to expect and how to feel about it. Reading a new genre
means I have to open my mind to accepting new concepts, readjusting my
opinion, exploring my emotions, and testing my beliefs. All of it belongs to
the area of the unknown. Hence, I need to be at
my best to try reading outside my preferred genres.
Naturally, we can not and should not avoid
all changes. We have to face some changes and let them make us better. The same
goes for reading. Therefore, I pick up a new kind of read from time to time and let it teach
me, change me, and improve me.
How about you? Would you agree that the
fear of being hurt is the reason why people reject change? Are you afraid of
change or do you welcome it as a chance of improvement? As for the reading
part: do you find it hard to try reading outside your comfort zone? Does it
matter how you feel when deciding to try something new or not?
Please, feel free to sound off your
thoughts in the comments.
*****
I love my comfort zone, and I prefer to stay there. Usually, someone has to nudge me out before I can be open to a change. But once I'm out, I'm usually amazed by how much I learn and experience and grow.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly how you feel. I need a good kick put myself out there, too. But, as you say, it is worth it.
DeleteUsually I change in response to where life is taking me or else it'll be difficult to initiate something new just 'cuz, you know? But I know in my heart it's good so I embrace it, yet it's really hard for me to get used to. Takes awhile but eventually, I get there.
ReplyDeleteChange is hard but yes, knowing it's good for you can help you deal with it. Although it takes me awhile to accept change, too.
DeleteI think it's the fear of the unknown that keeps people complacent. I push myself to welcome change because I believe deep down that change is good and it's the only way you will grow as a being.
ReplyDeleteWell, it is the other side of the coin, isn't it? It definitely takes effort to better ourselves.
DeleteReading outside of my comfort zone excites me. It excites me as long it keeps me engaged. However, I don't like to read about rape. That is my boundary. If I know a story has rape in it then I will turn it down.
ReplyDeleteNow on the question of change... I embrace it! Bring it on is my motto.
Alita
Rape is a difficult topic, I do not like reading about it. I have read a few books with rape in them but those were very emotional, hard to deal with.
DeleteI enjoying reading new things, but the material can't be dry. I can read anything interesting and well written. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for change, I try to welcome it, but I usually need to reel for a while before I can pull myself together.
I don't enjoy boring reads, either. I love new things when they are interesting and the writing is good.
DeleteI'm the same when it comes to change - it takes me some time to embrace it.
My book clubs push me to read books outside of my genre. Sometimes I am disappointed, but most of the time I am surprised by new worlds and the gems I find.
ReplyDeleteAs I get older, I am less anxious about change.
There have been more good reading surprises out there than disappointments for me, too.
DeleteI'm with you on the "favorite book genre" thing. Contemporary Lit is my genre. Right now I'm reading Quiet, the book about introverts. It's quite something but just getting used to the format and the language takes a whole lot of preparation on my part. It's not quite like delving into a good book at the end of the day. It's more like work. But, as you said, it makes me better to stretch myself in this way. And not just with books, of course!
ReplyDeleteReading a new genre really takes a lot more energy and time than reading what you're used to. But expanding your horizon is rewarding. Naturally, not just with books! :)
Delete