Life constantly presents people with new scenarios that can be challenging, causing them to seek the security of their comfort zones. Young adults who experience cancer often face significant challenges regarding their treatments and health. Yet, it is common for people to find solace in the things that bring them comfort through difficult times. So how should young adults impacted by cancer manage their desires to seek safety in their comfort zones and still remain open to the challenges of taking on new experiences?

Life on Pause is a podcast created by and for young adults living with cancer. In this episode, guest speakers talk about their experiences at their annual retreat for young adult cancer survivors at Gretna Glen. Throughout the retreat, participants experienced activities that made them look inward at how they approach the world and how their cancer experience has affected their willingness to take on new challenges. Speakers discuss the theme of comforts vs. challenges and share their thoughts on the lessons they learned from the retreat and throughout their lives.

Comfort vs. Challenge (0:30)  

The episode begins with each speaker introducing themselves and discussing their preferred settings on the continuum from comfort to challenge. Each speaker shares their own comfort zones and challenges and how these themes show up in their lives.

Bringing Comfort and Grounding (4:38)

Cancer treatment can be a challenging and emotional experience, and it is essential to find things in life to bring peace during this time. Next, speakers discuss what they consider to be things that bring them comfort and ground them within their lives.

Silence of Meditation (8:59)

The Gretna Glen retreat involves various activities for young adults impacted by cancer to pull them from their comfort zones and enable them to take on new experiences. One of these activities was meditation, but for some, being silent in your thoughts can be an uncomfortable experience. Our speakers share their thoughts on the discomfort of silence and being in your own head.

Dragons in Uncharted Territory (15:27)

In folklore, dragons are a threat often found in uncharted territory. Our speakers talk about the “dragons” they have come face to face with recently and have had to tackle and conquer. This includes tough challenges and obstacles relating to their cancer and other factors in their personal lives.

Getting Yourself Safe (21:39)

While stepping out of your comfort zone can allow you to expand your abilities and experience new situations, our minds and bodies sometimes tell us to seek safety instead. The speakers share their personal experiences of times when they extended themselves grace and allowed themselves to enjoy the safety of their comforts rather than take on new challenges.  

Moving Forward (23:23)

The retreat provided many eye-opening experiences for our speakers who participated regarding fears of what-ifs, comfort zones, and themselves. In concluding this podcast episode, they discuss the lessons they learned during their time at Gretna Glen and how they plan to carry this knowledge forward and apply it to their lives.