Mindful day two: Zeena Shah’s Screen Printing Workshop

I moved across the globe alone to lovely London, to begin doing and discovering new things every day. Out of my comfort zone- scary but mostly refreshingly exciting!

I am a designer and I guess I’ve always been a bit shy, especially around public speaking, but today I have to give a presentation to my entire company about the latest project that I have been working on. This is definitely out of my comfort zone!

I had never been abroad by myself and decided a trip to Australia was the best way, off I went with my 15kg backpack for 3 weeks!

After having a hip replacement and just being grateful to walk without pain I joined St John’s Ambulance and was able to learn new skills – carry people over walls on a stretcher, learn resuscitation skills and basically learn to save lives. All in my late 60s! Had stepped away from retirement and knitting groups. I had always wanted to be a nurse but found I could achieve the next best thing which I never thought I would!

I left my abusive partner when I became pregnant

Hi all, I was roped into organising a charity event where people would be sponsored for walking over hot coals. I was petrified but had to show willing. It was something I would have never dreamed I would ever do, but I did! It was amazing and gives me courage in the darkest of times. With enough will power you can overcome and achieve! 🙂

I took a leap of faith by leaving my day job to pursue my art& illustration full time, its still a work in progress but I’m so glad i did it and i feel like i’m on the right path

For part of a team building course I went on an outward bound weekend, and for the first time ever, I went abseiling and also caving.

As if that wasn’t already out of my comfort zone (I’m more of a book reading landlubber) the caving was extra challenging as –

– we had to crawl about 200 yards on bellies through a a space no more than 3 feet wide,

and, yes, there’s more!

– lined up with a few other members of the team, we had to turn our lights off and jump down into hole, only relying on the person in front to guide us to safety – talk about taking a leap of faith (and into the dark!)

We then had to make our way out of the caves, ending up walking out through freezing cold water!

This was over 20 years ago, and I can still recall the thrill and fear!

After learning German for years, I booked a one way flight to Germany, moved in with some locals and got a job teaching English at a secondary school. I’m quite a shy person so this was definitely out of my comfort zone!

The biggest thing I have ever had to do and massively step out my comfort zone is tell people I had severe postnatal depression, it was hard to be judged and I lost some friends but I’m glad I spoke out so other people could understand what it is and how it affects people and families. X

I move from sunny South Africa 4 years ago leaving family and my little established handmade business behind ..4 years later I don’t have any regrets it was honestly the biggest risk I have taken and yes it was not easy but along the way I have met such inspirational creatives and have started building my label again .

I often give myself new challenges and learn new crafts and skills, but the biggest step outside my comfort zone was leaving job, family, friends and everything behind and move to a new country and building a new life. It’s great to now have two countries that feel like home 😀

I left my job and started my own digital agency. Soon after my wife told me she was pregnant with our first. The pressure was on. Rent was due.9 months on our son was born. Nappies were needed, along with food, clothing and shelter for the 3 of us. I spent nights working hard. Then I learned how to work smart. Today we are a well know agency with an awesome clientbase . My wife is a designer and left her fashion career when she got pregnant. I want to help her get back in the game.

I was a SAHM mum for 8 yrs and I recently pulled my socks up and took the plunge! I started my MSc part-time as well as started running my own supperclub in SW London with my partner (which has had much success) and currently researching a social enterprise for women. So it’s all systems go!

I stepped outside of my comfort zone by trying my hand at papercutting for the first time for my wedding save the date! I was so chuffed with how it turned out and have been doing papercuts ever since. I would LOVE to learn how to translate these paper cuts onto screen prints!

In order to see friends in far off lands, I decided to combine them all by going travelling solo for 3 months, going to 6 countries. It was the best thing I ever did, as it made me determined, able to prioritise and let go of worrying – the problems you plan & worry about aren’t those that ever come along. Usually the toughest things are the most rewarding for a reason. Five years on (officially last week) I’m still reaping the rewards of that trip!

I have always had a passion for art as I have been more creative than I was academic. I studied art for my GCSEs and A-levels but never pursued it as career as I was told numberous times I would never make a proper living out of it. After many years of self doubt and naturally being a reserved and socially awkward person I got the courage to get back into a creative mindset and environment. I attended a geometry masterclass with Eric Broug in London. It was probably one of the best things I did to put myself out there, even though I was so close to not going because I had an minor panic attack and was fearing failure. It was truly out of my comfort zone but now I realise it’s my calling in life.

Probably asking out my boyfriend (who was a finalist on Masterchef) after bumping into him on the street outside my office. I’m incredibly shy and quite introverted so to actually do something so outside my comfort zone and something so far removed from me was huge. Luckily he said yes and we now live together, but it was definitely a scary thing to do!

After 18 months of illness which left me tired and with low energy levels, I trained and ran a 10k. Never been prouder than when I sprinted across the finish line!

I used to love running and After recently being diagnosed with IBD I had to stop running for while as so weak but I kept building it up to do my half marathon and though it was so slow and needing to stop for the loo it was embarrassing and felt completely lost but I got round and though can’t say I fully enjoyed it but bring on the next one!!!!

Most recently is to close a studio and productions where I run my business from to re-discover and stay true to what I am really passionate about! Out of my comfort zone as the studio and production is the easy, stable option and the new is totally unknown! A leap of trust and faith!

I constantly step out of my comfort zone when making decisions about raising my daughter on my own. She is 14 so this can be quite tough nowadays.
If I won, I would share this experience with her. Fingers crossed

I went to America for 8 weeks to Orlando in a summer camp and I knew know one. I loved it!

I had over indulged this time last year after a family Christmas with all the trimmings. My brother gets up Boxing day morning and tells me he’s going for a run.

“How can you just do that?”
“Do you not get embarassed?”
“People might think you’re just doing it as an annual “new year, new me” thing” I proclaimed.

About a minute later, I was embarassed and finally admitted I was simply jealous and insecure. I decided that I would take up running and at first I hit a few mental barriers but since have increased fitness, become healthier and managed to complete 2 half marathons in goodI had over indulged this time last year after a family Christmas with all the trimmings. My brother gets up Boxing day morning and tells me he’s going for a run.

“How can you just do that?”
“Do you not get embarassed?”
“People might think you’re just doing it as an annual “new year, new me” thing” I proclaimed.

About a minute later, I was embarassed and realised I was simply jealous and insecure. I decided that I would take up running and at first I hit a few mental barriers but since have increased fitness, become healthier and managed to complete 2 half marathons in good time. I honestly did not think I could run 3k let alone 21! I’ve surprised myself and am much more confident in my own abilities.. I honestly did not think I could run 3k let alone 21! I’ve surprised myself in a short time and am much more confident in my own abilities.

I had over indulged this time last year after a family Christmas with all the trimmings. My brother gets up Boxing day morning and tells me he’s going for a run.

“How can you just do that?”
“Do you not get embarassed?”
“People might think you’re just doing it as an annual “new year, new me” thing” I proclaimed.

About a minute later, I was embarassed and realised I was simply jealous and insecure. I decided that I would take up running and at first I hit a few mental barriers but since have increased fitness, become healthier and managed to complete 2 half marathons in good time. I honestly did not think I could run 3k let alone 21! I’ve surprised myself and am much more confident in my own abilities.

I quit my job to become a self employed artist. …it’s still early days but it’s oh so definitely worth it!

Ive always sewn and done dressmaking but I really stepped out of my comfort zone when I started to show people what I could make, never thought I was good enough, but I was, now ive got my own blog and looking for an internship in the business