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Each New Year I approach the classic period of reflection. Assessing my days like-for-like for the same date 365 days ago. When I sat down to look at 2024, there was one theme that stood out for me more than any other. This is the year where I lived outside of my comfort zone, and in turn, the one I’ve enjoyed most in a very long time.

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” Neale Donald Walsch

Stemming from the research of Robert M Yerkes and John D Dodson (1908) which found that to maximize performance we needed to create a state they called “Optimal Anxiety”; or extending yourself beyond the space where you feel most comfortable.

This quote and research has been the cornerstone of pop psychology talks, MBA and coaching philosophies, and many forms of therapies. It’s no wonder that in my first full year of continuous sobriety, very much “out of my comfort zone”, that I’ve found the most peace and enjoyment.

I decided to summarise this journey with 24 ways I’ve been out of my comfort zone in 2024.

24 in ’24:

1. I moved to the seaside. A dream that felt impossible years ago, but I pushed myself to make happen. Moving to a new town, where I knew no one, was the way I kicked off this year of radical change. A change my gut knew was right for me, and one I’m grateful for everyday.
2. I trusted my gut. I had been here before, in 2015, the year I applied for an internship in Vietnam, joined my university basketball team and applied for a dream Masters programme. But, over the years, it became a voice that was overshadowed by fear, judgement and others’ opinions: my intuition. 2024 was the year my intuition took the reigns again and I won’t be blocking her path anytime soon.
3. I started dating with intentionality. I met my partner at the beginning of 2024 after a period of intentionally not dating. In 2023, I hadn’t figured out what I wanted or how I could be a good partner. When I started the journey again, I wanted to be sure I was honest, open and kind. I didn’t waste anyone’s time, or mine, and remained open to what this approach could teach me about myself. And, this year, I’ve learned a lot about healthy, healing love as a result.
4. I moved companies. After working at AWS for several years, I took the next step in my career in a hands-on specialist sales role at Microsoft. Having led strategy at AWS, I felt it important I understand the role of the seller “on-the-ground”, get back to working directly with customers and understanding how Microsoft’s partner ecosystem was so successful and ever-growing. Certainly, a huge step out of my comfort zone, but one of the best career decisions I’ve ever made.
5. I got diagnosed with autism and cPTSD. After years of misaligned therapies and diagnoses that didn’t quite make sense; I got a new therapist and worked with doctors to get re-assessed. I felt it an important step to put my faith in specialists again in sobriety. To be as honest as possible with the world to get the help I needed to understand who I am today. This was one of the hardest parts of 2024, way out of my comfort zone despite many years of talking about mental health. It required letting go of my own ego and stigma, but was one of the most profound and reassuring gifts this year has offered.
6. I put nutrition first. As someone with a complex history with food. An adolescent eating disorder and, now, cooking as a form of relaxation and comfort, I was nervous to open Pandora’s box and examine how what I ate impacted my body and mind. After some bowel issues in 2023, I was determined to push through this fear and get the answers I needed. I had biopsies, allergen and intolerance tests, tried elimination diets and fasts. In 2024, I learned more about nutrition for me than any other year. I prioritised wholefood plant-based meals above others, with occasional additions of dairy and seafood. I ordered in less and spent money on meals out with loved ones; where I could connect and share the indulgences. And, crucially, I let go of calories, scales, portions and diets and focused on nutritional balance, vitamins, protein and learning to listen to my body.
7. I adopted decaf. For years, I’ve been a “death over decaf” person. The first to shout that decaf isn’t real coffee. That I would never drink a cup without my elixir of choice. Yet, when I started prioritising nutrition and mental fitness, I knew I needed to be more open-minded. Coffee is comfort for me. It’s safety. It’s ritual. But, caffeine at all hours of the day was impacting my mood, energy levels and sleep; so I decided to follow science and make a change. I invested in good decaffeinated beans and now switch to a black decaf after 3pm. This mightn’t seem to difficult or much of a change to many, but as someone who finished most meals with an espresso, this was a leap out of my comfort zone in 2024.
8. I tried new sports. From kite surfing lessons, to long-distance running to Pilates to Muay Thai and kickboxing, this year has been a year of trying with sports. I haven’t always been consistent, but I’ve made an effort to keep going even when injuries have impeded me or I’ve lacked motivation. As I approach 2025, I’ve adopted a new love for combat sports and am excited to see where it will take me.
9. I’ve gone for a walk everyday. Mostly encouraged by my dog, I’ve made an effort to get outside everyday this year. I do have help from dog walkers on busy weeks which in the past led to days inside as I felt I’d done my job passing my pup to someone else. This year, I saw how many benefits I gained from moving my legs outside each day, no matter how far (though my phone tells me I averaged 10,967 steps a day which ain’t bad at all).
10. I went on holiday alone. I’ve travelled alone for years, but usually for work or for an event. This year, I took myself to Santorini with nothing else planned other than a hotel paid for and books to read. I was determined to embrace time alone somewhere peaceful. A true holiday where my day wasn’t filled up with museum tours or nights out, where I wasn’t worried about deadlines back at home or if I would “make the most” out of my time away. I actually switched off and took a much needed solo-break. It was wonderful.
11. I launched the Pathways Collective Podcast. After much demand and contemplation, I recorded live interviews with some of my favourite people and collaborated with the wonderful people at The Sublime Project agency to launch the Pathways Collective Podcast. Through conversations with experts, life coaches, entrepreneurs and mental health advocates, we uncover tools and insights to help you design a meaningful life. I really can’t wait to continue this adventure in 2025!
12. I took ownership of my finances. Another gift of sobriety and therapy was getting honest about money. Removing the guilt, shame and fear I had around finances and asking for help on how to save better for the future. I still hate talking about money, looking at my accounts and have limited understanding in how my taxes are calculated, but I do know how to push through the insecurity to safeguard myself and ask for help. Huge thanks to ESDG Accountancy Ed Sittle and Dylan Wright for their support.
13. I fell in love with Anime. Not quite as far out of my comfort zone on the surface, but branching out into a new genre of TV and film has been big for me this year. I’ve watched the same five series on repeat for over a decade and whilst I dip into the latest trend series occasionally, I find it difficult to stick to anything new. This year, I jumped into Japanese cartoons and fell in love with the humour, intensity and creativity of this genre. Finding a new way to unwind.
14. I got into gaming. OK, “gaming” might be a stretch. I bought a Nintendo Switch and two games. But it’s been a real learning for me. I didn’t understand gaming culture at all. I felt like an outsider in tech offices when new games were released or colleagues would talk of hours lost in the world of Zelda. However, encouraged by my partner to find a new outlet to relax away from my phone, I bought a console and haven’t looked back. I don’t play everyday, but I do love short periods exploring the fantasy worlds available to you in game-land.
15. I joined a Buddhist Meditation centre. Inspired by my recovery and journey with spirituality I decided to investigate temples, centres and retreats I could regularly attend and find kindship and community. I now attend classes weekly and weekend retreats monthly with a deeper commitment to Buddhist ways of living and teaching I will continue to explore throughout this life.
16. I re-invented my wardrobe. I sold or donated all the clothes that didn’t bring me joy. I tapped into my intuition and decided to express myself fully, in the way I felt comfortable. I let go of the opinions and trends of others and leaned into what styles and fabrics felt good to me; helping me build a wardrobe I now look forward to choosing from every morning, with no item wasted or collecting dust.
17. I danced all night sober. This year I attended three weddings and a fair few parties and danced the night away. At the first few events, I was terrified. I stood in the corner with my Diet Coke watching everyone else let loose, awkwardly bobbing, wondering if I’d ever enjoy dancing again. Later, encouraged by my partner and friends, I took the first few steps and realised I could have much more fun out there sober. Culminating in a period of 45 mins non-stop cardio at my sister’s wedding this summer fuelled by love in the room and banger-after-banger on their setlist (and maybe a few Diet Cokes and sugary donuts).
18. I started saying “No” as a complete sentence. Truly out of my comfort zone, I learned how to say no. Not “maybe”. Not “we’ll see”. Not “if I can manage it”. Not “OK if you really need me to”. I learned to assert my boundaries and do so with kindness. To offer a hand when I have a hand to offer, and to refill my cup and protect my peace when needed.
19. I invested in women. I’ve had women friends on and off since childhood. However, I haven’t always felt safe, or invested, in these relationships. For many reasons that would warrant their own post (or book), I struggled to keep close friends. To connect with my femininity, and therefore, other women. This year, I made a concerted effort in a few women who I felt I could trust. I opened up more than ever before. I was vulnerable even when I wanted to run away. I cried. I laughed. I learned how to support women and identify with my own version of womanhood. I found a solidarity and safety I’d never before experienced, and lessons I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life.
20. I kept regular work hours. I didn’t start the year like this. I started the year launching my coaching business alongside a very hectic job in a global team that required a lot of international travel and long work hours. I detested rest time. Hours of “nothingness”. By March, I was burnt out (again) and insomnia decided to join the party (again). In H2, I was committed to finding balance. I’ve been stricter. I posted less. I deleted apps from my phone and (mostly) not checked work emails outside of working hours. I scheduled recurring blockers in my diary for focus which I’ve strictly kept. AND I’m more productive. Rest is essential for progress and success. Who’d have thunk it?
21. I went back on medication. Even sharing this I still feel resistance, self-stigma. Despite taking medication previously, when I got sober I came off everything. I don’t advise this. I’m not a doctor and will never offer distinct advice in this area other than trust your body and trust the professionals. I now feel better than I have in a decade and I’m stable, safe and healthy.
22. I started eating breakfast. Again, shouldn’t really be out of my comfort zone, but as someone who started most mornings of the last decade with a cigarette and long black, this is progress. I’ve tried variations and I don’t stick to it religiously, but I definitely feel more productive and energetic when I eat in the morning.
23. I went out without my phone. I have done this before, but I guess I made more of a habit of it in 2024. Dedicated switch off time, outside of my house, without my phone. I’d become dependent on my phone as a vehicle for veiled safety. Unable to picture a world where people didn’t have connectivity 24/7. Ultimately, spending a lot of time outdoors in phone calls, podcasts, playlists or looking down into the screen as opposed to the world around me. I want to do more of this in 2025 as it’s given me confidence and clarity I didn’t anticipate. Switching off to switch on.
24. I made the next step in my career journey. More on this soon. Gotta have some cliff hangers.

If you stayed to the end, thanks for reading. I can’t wait to see what 2025 has in store. May your New Year be blessed with happiness, health and peace.