Hello all, welcome back to Our Redonkulous life. This post is going to be part one of a 4 part series I will be coming out with. Over the next 4 weeks, I will be discussing your comfort zone. Asking all the questions. Check the end of the post for links to the other parts.
Today we are discussing how to get out of your comfort zone. How to find out if you should, listing what you are comfortable doing, listing what you are afraid to do, and working on a plan to get you to the other side.
Stepping out of your comfort zone
If you are on this journey of self-improvement then you know that in improving yourself you need to step into the unknown. You need to challenge yourself to things you never thought were possible.
Finding your true self can open many doors and windows you thought were closed.
Roy T. Bennet said, “You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone; change begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Are you happy with who you are when you look in the mirror?
Step out from behind your comfort zone fear
That saying is 100% true. Once you step out of your norm you can finally experience who you really are. Working on yourself takes you to places that you have never been to before. You learn things about yourself that you would have never known otherwise or find out that you could do things you never thought you could do in a million years.
Once you step outside of the element that you are used to living in, the world as you know it has more to offer you and gives you endless opportunities. It is during that time you experience and find who you truly are. When you finally face the fears you have had about doing things you are passionate about.
The lies we tell ourselves
We often live our lives with the “I can’t,” “I don’t want to,” or “it’s too difficult” thoughts that keep us stuck and unhappy. It’s only until we realize that when we stop letting our negative thoughts control us, that we find our true self.
Stepping into the unknown is frightening. It’s hard to imagine the life that is just past the place where we are most comfortable. It the place just beyond where we can see the outcome of doing new things. That’s the part that makes our hearts pump faster, make us break out into a cold sweat, and yet, we yearn to see what’s there.
When finally our curiosity has peaked so much, it pushes us over the edge of uncertainty. Our curiosity got the best of us and push us to do better and be better than we already are.
What happens when we stay in our comfort zone
Staying in our comfort zone keeps us from stepping into that unknown. It keeps us secure and safe. Your comfort zone is the basis of your life now. It’s how you define who and what you currently are.
But what would happen if you stretched outside that zone? Would bad things happen? Or would you suddenly be excited about life?
Stepping outside of your comfort zone helps you grow as a person, learn new things, become more confident in the person you are meant to be.
Should you step into the unknown?
Begin by writing down 5 things that don’t scare you and you do often. This could be things like traveling by bus, giving a public speech, or whatever it is that doesn’t scare you. It’ll be different for each person because we all have different comfort zones.
Describe how it feels to live within your comfort zone. Be as detailed as possible. Make sure you are using feeling words. I feel calm when… I am happy when… How does it make you feel to be in your body, your mind, and your life?
Ask yourself these questions
1. Are there things you want to achieve but haven’t yet?
2. Are you dissatisfied with your daily life?
3. Do you want to achieve big things?
4. Do your goals and passions keep appearing, tugging at you?
5. Is there material or immaterial things you want that you don’t have?
6. Are you struggling with finding meaning in your life?
7. Are you feeling jealous of others who have achieved or done things you secretly want?
Take some time to really think about these questions and answer them honestly and in depth.
Once you’ve answered these questions, think about what’s keeping you from going after what you want. What makes you uncomfortable? Is it fear? Are you reluctant to take chances or make changes?
Write Down 5 Things That Scare You
Now describe how it would feel if you were living outside your comfort zone. Be as detailed as possible. Describe in detail how it feels, what you see, hear, or where you are. Use images, color, or visualization to help you create your life.
Take your time with these steps. Once you realize what’s keeping you from stepping into the unknown you can begin taking small steps outside your comfort zone to get there. Make a plan to get you where you need to be or don’t. Don’t make yourself mentally and emotionally exhausted.
It never hurts to jump feet first into something and see where you land. Sometimes you just have to throw all the planning, thinking, and wondering out the window and just jump. If you overthink getting out of your comfort zone you will never do anything to grow as a person.
Is it time yet?
Stepping out of your comfort zone is going to be like creating a new habit. It is going to take some time. It will be weird at first and you will think you look stupid. Let me tell you no one has ever looked stupid trying to better themselves.
Your life can be as fulfilling and exciting as you desire it to be. That only happens once you step into the unknown. Getting out of your comfort zone is where you find your true self. The person you were meant to be. Not stepping out of your cozy little comfort zone maybe what’s preventing you from achieving your goals.
Come back next week where I will be answering the question of Is your comfort zone preventing you from achieving your goals.
In the comments tell me something you want to do that is outside of your comfort zone and what are you doing to get there?
Don’t forget to check the other posts in this series of comfort zones.
We will be focusing on:
– Finding who you truly are in the unknown (You are here)
– Is your comfort zone preventing you from achieving your goals?
– If staying in your comfort zone could be holding you back.
– If fear is standing in your way of getting the life you deserve.
Until next time, Have a great day!
Its such a psychologically well versed post. Makes you think and get out of your comfort zone.
Thank you, Prajakta. I appreciate the kind words.
This is really awesome and I think during this time we need it more than ever – even though it is easier to stay home and keep in my shell!
Even if you are staying home you can still get out of your comfort zone. What is something you want to do?
Great motivating post. I’m still thinking of 5 things that scare me. Although I have done many things out of my comfort zone.
Stepping out of our comfort zone at times can be a bit intimidating or scary, but like in your article we might as we see it as a new hobby to make it less scary. Nice article, I enjoyed reading it
Thank you, Mary. Just start out with something as simple as a new hobby, take up journaling, learn to make jewelry. Whatever it is don’t think of it as this huge leap to a new beginning. That would scare anyone.
The life begins when you get out from your comfort zone
It really does. I believe that with every fiber of my being.
To step in the zone of adventure we must step out of zone of comfort and discover new.
Indu, I like that. I am going to write it down on a post-it so I can remember that.
Stepping into the unknown can be very daunting and scary. I love your approach to addressing your fears. Writing them down i think is a very good starting point and moving forward from there can be healing. As always Michele, this is once again an interesting read for me, even though I’ve read it before now.
I admit that I have fear of the unknown and stepping beyond my comfort zone is quite daunting but when I tried doing things beyond it… Its where I discovered my other traits, my potentials.
That is wonderful. You discover things about yourself that you never thought you would be able to do. You stepped out and found your potential I am so happy for you!
I completely admit I live in my own bubble :/
I used to, but now I push myself outside of my little bubble. It gets lonely sometimes. 🙂
Very true words. The more you push the more you know about yourself and people around you. Thank you for sharing..
That is true, Eswari.
I like how this post works on psychological levels. It is important to get out of comfort zones sometimes.
It is important to get out of your comfort zone.
The times I have learned the most about myself were when I have been out of my comfort zone!
Me too. I have learned so much about myself pushing myself more than I ever have in my life.
I’m in the process of self improvement and yeah getting out of the comfort zone really has a big impact to improve. Although I’m taking it one step at a time but I’m glad I started already
From reading this it looks like I’m actually pretty happy with myself!
being comfortable with being uncomfortable is a very important part of personal growth for me.
I always had stepped out of my comfort zone to achieve things but right now I am afraid.
Don’t be afraid. Look for the positive. Trust in yourself and the decisions you make.
Just be happy and do what you love. Don’t hinder yourself from the things that you will be a better person. Thank you for this sharing.
That’s all you can do. Do what you love and don’t let anything stop you.
Challenging yourself can help you reach your peak performance level. You can’t expect to evolve and reach new heights if you only stick to your normal habits and routine lifestyle. Learning new skills and lessons will help you throughout your life.
Exactly, Alyssa. Always striving to learn more, to be better and do better. Even if it is a small change that can make a huge difference down the road.
I love this (and I’m not just saying that because we share the same name 😉 )! It is so inspirational and so true, we need to stop telling ourselves that we can’t because that makes us become our own hurdles!
Hey Twinsie! lol I am trying to remove I can’t out of my vocabulary.
Beautiful post! Being uncomfortable can bring the most growth.
I enjoyed reading this post. Being uncomfortable can take a toll on someone.
I definitely need to make an effort to step out of my comfort zone…lately I’ve really been stuck in what feels like circles! And this year definitely has not helped one bit…but in saying that…this whole pandemic has made me relook and rethink my whole situation!
I am constantly looking around me. I am always trying to change something.
Perhaps instead of saying, “Working on yourself takes you to places that you have never been to before.” Maybe we can flip it to say, “Take yourself to places that you have never been to before is a great way to Work on yourself!”
Love that you really promote the idea of writing it all down. That is way I wrote out a full Bucket List! It is the first step in tackling your goals! Perhaps you should call it the Uncomfortable List and then Tick off things when you Conquer them!
I might have to change that. When I do I will be sure to link to you for the suggestion. Thank you.
True that stepping out of the comfort zone is what gets your life started. Good one!
Thank you Nikhila.