Rarely did I feel the need to take a risk or step outside of my comfortable little bubble. I could wake up each morning pretty certain I would be able to face the day with the least amount of energy or anxiety. But after a few weeks of this, I started to notice a growing sense of low-grade anxiety bubbling up inside, and before I knew it, I was spending most evenings in a complete state of utter agitation, wondering why my life wasn't progressing and why nothing was happening. What had first seemed such a safe and comforting way to live was making me sick, and crazy and highly irritable. I realized that there really is no comfort in the comfort zone.
New ideas seem too frightening to even consider.
Even having lunch with a friend becomes something to stress out about. We start to lose faith in our abilities and talents. We don't try anything new, we don't dare. We avoid new people and experiences at all costs. Basically, we start believing our own bad press.