Hey, !

Have you ever found yourself at the edge of something uncomfortable and thought, “I can’t do this”?

Recently, I saw this firsthand when my sister and I turned onto the narrow Washington Crossing Bridge in PA. 🚙

To give you context, the lanes on the 119-year-old bridge are just over half the width of an interstate highway lane. EEK! 😳

It is super tight for two-way traffic.

My sister gripped the wheel and, eyes wide, said, “I can’t do this!”

But here’s the thing: She had to. 

There was no turning back. And while her heart was probably racing the entire time, she made it to the other side.

Was it scary? Absolutely.

Did it push her out of her comfort zone? No doubt. But she did it.

Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com

This is what stepping outside of your creative comfort zone can feel like.

Whether it’s trying a new medium, sharing your work publicly, or experimenting with a bold idea, that moment of fear and doubt is all too familiar.

But growth never happens in the safety of what we know.

Just like my sister on that bridge, the only way forward is through.

Sure, it’s scary—but that’s where the magic happens.

Funnily enough, on the other side of that bridge was one of Colleen Attara’s art retreats.

Crossing that narrow, intimidating bridge was the perfect prelude to what she had in store for us.

Colleen has a way of inviting you to step beyond your comfort zone and dive deep into your creative process.

Her retreats are all about embracing the discomfort, challenging yourself, and unlocking new layers of meaning in your work.

It wasn’t just about making art; it was about simmering, sharing, and connecting. Much like my first retreat experience, I felt a shift. 

My biggest take away was realizing that I have a tendency to “think ahead” as I create. 

Much like in my everyday life…I like to have contingencies and think of all the “what ifs”.

This adds pressure and stress to the process and often keeps me from moving forward.