Leaving the comfort zone
I had the most profound revelation the other day while doing the simplest thing...
I had the most profound revelation the other day while doing the simplest thing: scrolling through photos and memories on my phone. I was looking for a specific photo and, in the process, realized how similar most of my photos are — the dog, the house, some food I made and then a screenshot of something I wanted to remember. The repetition comes, in part, from the fact that I often forget to take photos when I’m out. But, on the other hand, most of my life is the same thing day after day.
That’s part of getting older, I’m sure. You have more responsibilities and tasks to complete and, sometimes, it’s nice to enjoy the dependability of a schedule. But I realized that anxiety hides nicely under the guise of responsibility. It’s easier to say you won’t do something because you have other responsibilities than to recognize that you’re avoiding it out of fear of the outcome.
I have been laser focused on creativity the last two years: improving my creative practice, challenging myself to write weekly and testing out new creative mediums. But I’ve noticed that any creative pursuit requires a willingness to create something awful, useless or bad — you have to be willing to deal with an outcome you did not intend.
The only step forward is through, and sometimes that is a very uncomfortable step to take.
Today’s newsletter is about getting out of a comfort zone, challenging your concept of what you like and don’t like and exploring creativity. Thanks for reading.
WHEN STRESS IS GOOD
Moving from comfort to curiosity
Anxiety is a useful tool: I’m faster and better when I’m under a little pressure. This phenomenon happens most consistently when I’m writing. I put it off until it’s nearly too late. Then, suddenly, the fear of missing a deadline or writing something mediocre gets me into shape and I’m able to write.
Turns out there’s research about this idea. More than 100 years ago, two scientists developed the Yerkes–Dodson Law. It says that as stress increases, performance and efficiency increase — but only up to a certain point. It’s like a bell curve: there’s an optimal amount of stress to yield higher performance and efficiency but anything more will result in a steep drop off.
In simpler terms: It is good to be challenged. Here are the little things I’m doing to challenge the things I’ve always thought I disliked.
Running, despite having said I hate cardio my whole life
Watching scary, suspenseful and intense movies, which I have always avoided (Turns out I love “Gladiator.”)
Going out on weeknights, which feels irresponsible in the best way
Putting off chores for a few days, just to see what happens
Some other things I want to try: wearing new styles of clothes, traveling more frequently and spontaneously, going to events and parties and doing a shot of tequila (ha!).
COLOR WHEEL
Primary colors shining in design
Delos fabric by Carolina Irving Textiles.
A 1950s publication that examined the colors used in fashion design, specifically colors chosen by fashion houses like Dior, Schiaparelli and Balmain (among others). Read more about the Cahiers Blue publication.
Tile mosaic depicting bathers diving (source unknown).
Rayures Datcha fabric by Decors Barbares.
Perfectly designed striped beach tents (source unknown).
Jackie Kennedy and Marella Agnelli walking in the sun.
Beautiful pottery by Sylvie Saint-Andre Perrin available at John Derian.
CREATIVE SPOILS
Someone else’s boldness, my inspirational gain
Perhaps the biggest driver for me in wanting (and working) to step outside of my comfort zone is to experience more creativity. The most incredible art, music, poetry and design are products of someone else’s creative abandon — and it takes a lot of work to get there.
I’m always perusing design and architecture ideas and have gathered some designs that intrigue me but are a bit outside of my comfort zone. Would you try these?
Painting (or papering) the inside of an antique cabinet is a little outside of my comfort zone. I’d be so fearful to mess up a beautiful piece but I love the striking look of the pop of color. Wouldn’t it be a delight to go open the doors of the cabinet, searching for something, and see those beautiful blue hues?
Tented rooms must be the coziest of all possible designs. Remember making blanket forts as a child? This is the chicer alternative that you don’t have to clean up.
How daring is this color palette? The wallpaper is from Fine and Dandy Company and it comes in other colors. Something about this shade reminds me of the eery descriptions of the rhododendrons in the book “Rebecca.”
If I ever renovate a bathroom, I’d love to try hardwood floors — but I’d be nervous. They’re more common in historical homes and I like the continuity of it from one wood in the next. Also, it would be so much warmer than stepping onto cold tile.
The candy colors of Enrica Stabile’s home in Milan delight me. I think, though, I’d be nervous to try them in my own home because they do read like candy — would they be too saccharine? I think what I love most about her apartment is that it’s so distinct in its style. She must love candy-colored pastels!
CURIOSITY, CAPTURED
Antique textiles with unusual designs
Purchasing an antique textile was never on my radar simply because I always figured you’d buy a textile new, but some of these patterns and color palettes are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Consider this perfect 18th century Toile de Nantes remnant, a French quilt fragment circa 1800 with a marbled look and the prettiest scarf that dates to the 19th century.
GOOD CHOICE
Trying something new
We went to Shakespeare in the Park to see Twelfth Night over the weekend with some friends. We grabbed dinner with friends before and packed picnic snacks to enjoy during the three-hour performance.
To be honest, though, I was nervous about coordinating, nervous that people wouldn’t enjoy themselves, nervous about what to take and where to meet, nervous about being nervous, etc.! But everyone had a good time. I even had a good time. It was good to try something new.
All the best,
Mary Grace