Move Out of Your Comfort Zone

I spent the weekend at a retreat for children's writers and illustrators called Kindling Words. The organizers set up a little exercise for participants to take us out of our comfort zone. It also helped us to meet new individuals, and, to work together. The group was broken up into smaller groups. Group 1 got drums and were instructed in hand drumming. Group 2 wrote a poem together. Group 3 was given a canvas upon which everyone worked with acrylic paints. After about 30 minutes, the groups switched activities, and then switched again after another half-hour. At the end, all three groups gathered and the art was unveiled, the poems read, and drumming demos took place. IT WAS AWESOME!



It's good to get out of your comfort zone every once in a while. Relax and try something new!

Find something to drum on. Listen to classical music if you're a rock fan. Plant seeds if you're a basketball player. Fly a paper airplane. Mix up an exotic drink. Communicate without speaking. You get the idea! Here are a few items that might take you out of your comfort zone:

Alberts, David. Talking About Mime: An Illustrated Guide. [792.3 ALB]

Haasarud, Kim. 101 Sangrias and Pitcher Drinks. [641.874 HAA]

Hart, Mickey. Planet Drum: A Celebration of Percussion and Rhythm. [786.9 HAR]

Pogue, David. Classical Music for Dummies. [781.1 POG]

Robinson, Nick. Super Simple Paper Airplanes. [745.592 ROB]

Squire, David. Houseplant Basics. [635.965 SQU]