Out of My Comfort Zone: Camo and Floral
Oftentimes, we get stuck in our comfort zones. It’s a natural occurrence and it’s completely understandable to want to stay within the confines of what makes you comfortable. Because, well, it’s comfortable. And who wants to feel uncomfortable? But I have learned that nothing great comes out of comfort…except, of course, comfort. But if we manage to push ourselves outside of our comfort zones that is where great things can happen. And this carries through just about every aspect of life that I can think of from the everyday mundane things like our clothing to the bigger and scarier things like huge life goals.
When I was a competitive swimmer in my younger years, I remember my coach teaching me this exact lesson. He would tell me, “You will never swim faster if you stay inside that comfort zone. Fast is supposed to hurt. Push yourself outside of what is comfortable.” I can definitely attest to the truth of this. Fast does hurt. But when you push yourself into the realm of discomfort and pain, eventually that becomes comfortable, too. So then you push even further. And the further you push yourself, the faster you would become. And essentially the only limits to what you can do are the limits you set for yourself.
Ask any superstar athlete or really any dedicated athlete at any level of competition. Or any successful entrepreneur. Or musician, actress, artist. Anyone who has achieved any kind of success has experienced discomfort at one time or another (probably many times) in their journey to their respective success. They all know that your mind and the limits you set for yourself are your toughest competition. Your worst enemy, really. Years after I had hung up my swim suit, I coached a high school swim team. And I remember preaching this same lesson to them. I had them watch the video of the 1982 Hawaii Triathlon where one competitor, Julie Moss, literally crawled across the finish line, dehydrated and covered in her own feces, because her body completely shut down on her. But her mind refused to accept the limits that her body had set. I used this video to explain what can be accomplished when you push outside of your comfort zone.
Julie had only entered the Iron Man competition as part of her research for an exercise physiology thesis and by her own admission did not take training for the event seriously. Nevertheless, she found herself comfortably in the lead with only two miles left at the end of the triathlon. At this point she had become severely dehydrated and her body was shutting down on her. Yet she was determined (delirious, perhaps, but determined nonetheless) to cross the finish line unassisted. Moments before the finish line, she was passed by another competitor and lost her lead. Yet she continued on, crawling on hands and knees until she finished the race she started. The race was broadcast around the world and Julie Moss became an inspiration to so many athletes for years to come.
Today, I am at a point where athletic goals no longer drive me. I do, however, still have life goals. And I have become very comfortable being a stay-at-home mom/Army wife for the past 6 years. But now that I have been pushed into an uncomfortable zone having sent my oldest child off to kindergarten, it is time to start making plans for once both kids are in school. And that is only two years away. Which isn’t really a lot of time. Yet, I have been sitting around day dreaming most of the time about what I want to do with myself at that point. Because I am afraid to take action. I am afraid to fail. And I am quite comfortable right here where I am. But nothing great comes out of comfort.
So in the effort to take some baby steps and start feeling what it is like outside of my comfort zone, I put this outfit together…inspired by Debbie of Fashion Fairy Dust to pair camo and florals. Let me tell you…when I looked in the mirror at this combination, I was so unsure of it that I almost changed my clothes. But I had seen this camo tee at Target a few weeks and I left it behind because I didn’t have time to try it on. And then I saw these fabulous ladies style the tee in three different and gorgeous ways that I had to go back and pick it up yesterday! (Jaymie of Shopping Your Closet with Jaymie Ashcraft, Courtney of The Dainty Darling, and Tif of Bright on a Budget.)
As uncomfortable as I was in this pattern combination, I decided I was going to walk out the door for a girls’ night out wearing it anyway. And I did. And I pretended that I was comfortable. And I think that I rocked it. So now it’s time for me to take some bigger steps into really uncomfortable territory…I will keep you posted. In the meantime, I challenge you to do something, big or small, that is outside of your comfort zone.
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Outfit details:
Tee: Target.
Jeans: Target (last year).
Jacket: Fort Drum Exchange (last year).
Boots: Carlos Santana for Famous Footwear (last year).
Necklaces: My entire collection of pearl necklaces.
Bracelets: All old.
What are your thoughts on getting outside of your comfort zone? Do you also believe great things can happen there?
Uncomfortable on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with These Fabulous Link Ups Where I Link Up.
46 Comments
Stephanie
Love the combination! Very cool!!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Stephanie! Have a lovely day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqueline
Love the print mixing you have going on here! Perfect!
xo,
Jacqueline
Stylin In St. Louis
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jacqueline, thank you so very much! Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patti
You look fabulous outside your “comfort zone”, Shelbee! We all can push ourselves in that direction, with just a dash of courage. xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Yes, courage, Patti…I seem to have lost a little bit of mine over the years! Thanks so much for stopping by and for the lovely compliment! Have a wonderful day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jaymie Ashcraft
Love love love the camo and floral!!!!! I’m so glad you got the camo tee!!
Jaymie
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Jaymie, it is seriously the best tee! I will be posting about the leopard one soon, too! I think I want to go back and see what other patterns they have as well. Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Debbie Stinedurf
Soooo…proud of you Shelbee! You know I love camo and floral and you nailed it! I’m drooling over that jacket; it’s gorgeous. I’m a huge offender of staying in my comfort zone. It’s strange, clothing-wise I’m up for anything, but every other aspect of my life I prefer to keep predictable.
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Predictable is so comfortable, right!? But I suppose it is fun (and scary) to turn things on their head every once in a while! Thank you so much for your continuous support and amazing comments, Debbie! And I love you to pieces as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lisa@dreamznwishz
Camo, distressed jean, and pearls…love it!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Lisa, thanks so much! I do love to pair pearls with a tee shirt and jeans! It takes me back to the early days of Carrie Bradshaw! Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Annessa
Stepping out of your comfort zone is so important! Love the pattern mixing!
Annessa
http://www.seekingsunshine.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Annessa, thank you so very much! Oooh…how I love my comfort zone! Ha! But yes, it is so very crucial for growth to get out of that zone. Thanks for stopping by and have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Tina von Tinaspinkfriday
Military with flowers, always a good idea, shelbee.
I love this outfit.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Tina! I love this compliment! Have a fabulous day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
It s a great combination. Have you already got any idea in wich way you are going to take the baby steps?
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Nancy! And I am still working out the details on baby steps and trying to get my schedule set so I am not so overwhelmed! I am still keeping it a secret though! Ha!
xoxo
Shelbee
Elise
Love this look. A floral bomber is so hot! Loving your booties too.
xx, Elise
http://www.sparkleandslippers.blogspot.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Elise, thank you so very much! I actually hated this floral bomber the first 5 times I saw it! Then it grew on me and I do get so many wonderful comments when I wear it. Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Lorena
I would have never thought of pairing these two prints together – and they work so well !
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Me neither, Lorena! It was Debbie’s pairing of camo and floral that inspired me, for sure! She is so brilliant at pattern mixing! Thanks for stopping by. Have a fabulous day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Chelsea
What fun print mixing! Love that jacket, it’s so cheery!
Chelsea
Chow Down USA
Instagram
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Chelsea! I seriously walked past this jacket on about 5 different shopping trips before I finally caved and bought it!
xoxo
Shelbee
Shelly
Love this combo! Way to think outside the fashion box.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Shelly! But all credit for this combo goes to Debbie!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
Not only does this work Shelbee—I think the pearls add so much feminine to the t-shirt!!
I just went outside my comfort zone the other day too–it was a small thing of putting a shirt under my dress (my initial response is to grab a cardigan)–but I was a little proud for trying to stretch a little!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
It is amazing what greatness can come out of going outside of our comfort zones, isn’t it, Jodie?! I want to try a tee under a dress now, too! Thanks for stopping by and for the lovely comment.
xoxo
Shelbee
Edye
Love the floral and camo paired together! The boots are adorable as well. Famous Footwear has some awesome finds 🙂
Blessings,
Edye | http://gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Edye! I do find some pretty great things for great prices at Famous Footwear!
Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jessica Jannenga
Lovin the camo with the floral bomber, What a pretty print too! Those boots are so cute too. I think it is fun to venture out from time to time. Fun look Shelbee!
Thanks for linking up with turning heads tuesday
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Jess! This was a really fun look to put together! The husband loved this outfit, too!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rachel
LOve this combo! So comfy and stylish look!
http://chicglamstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Rachel, thank you so much! Have a fabulous day!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anna Shirley
This is exactly what was purpose why I started blogging. I want to push me out of my comfort zone. I’m so happy for that even it is not easy. Thank you for linking up with My Red Carpet.
Anna xoxo
http://www.glamadventure.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Blogging definitely takes you out of your comfort zone, but so worth it! Thanks for stopping by, Anna. Have a wonderful day!
xoxo
Shelbee
nicole
Thanks for linking up to the Top of the World Style party.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Nicole!
xoxo
Shelbee
Celia M. - HighHeeledLife.com
Shelbee you are rocking this look!! and of course the ripped jeans are perfect!! and the unexpected touch of the pearls – girl you look fabulous!! Yes! great reminder amazing things start to happen when you step out of our comfort zone … happy weekend.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Celia, thanks so much for this amazing comment! I really had a lot of fun with the contrasting pieces. And getting out of your comfort zone is definitely key!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sarah @ Bows & Clothes
Love the floral!
Thank you so much for linking up at Grace + Lace!
Sarah
http://mybowsandclothes.blogspot.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Sarah! Have a fabulous day.
xoxo
Shelbee
Lisa/Syncopated Mama
Such a fun combination! Thanks for joining us at #FridayFrivolity!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you so much, Lisa!
xoxo
Shelbee
michelle
Fun print mixing! The jacket is great
http://www.michellespaige.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Michelle, thank you so much! This was definitely a fun one to wear!
xoxo
Shelbee