Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.” -John Assaraf

The world around us has changed quite a bit in the last few years. At first, everything felt overwhelming and different, and many people felt like the usual routines they held for years came to a sudden stop. As we all continue to cope, for some, things might be almost back to normal but for others, they may have found themselves feeling stuck and stagnant.

Maybe you found yourself spending so much time at home, that now you rarely want to leave, even if you weren’t a homebody in the past. If you feel as though your days are all the same, and that you haven’t done anything new for a long time, it might be time to step beyond your comfort zone and try something new.

Taking the step to try a new activity or go to a new place doesn’t have to be anything too dramatic. Even small changes can make a big impact to your daily life. Here are some ways you can try something different that might scare you or excite you.

Join a class or group. If the idea of being the new person in a room of people who already know each other scares you, find a class or group where you aren’t going to be the center of attention. It can feel intimidating at first, but you may just find some new people to connect with. If you can’t find a group in your area that interests you, why not make your own? That way you can create the group exactly how you would like it to be and find likeminded people to join in.

Do 1 new thing each day. This can be something as simple as listening to a different radio station, choosing a podcast you don’t generally listen to, trying a new recipe, starting a book you wouldn’t ordinarily choose, try a new coffee or tea, or watching a show or movie you might not pick normally.

Decide to do something just for yourself. Does your inner child love rollercoasters or water slides or sledding in the snow? Look into doing the activity you did as a child. Buy yourself something from the store that you wouldn’t, maybe a bouquet of flowers or a special snack or drink. Take yourself on a solo date to a place or event that you will love or maybe even dinner out.

Tap into your creative side. Have you thought about learning a new language or playing a musical instrument? Maybe you have always wanted to try painting, singing, sewing, or another creative hobby but never had the time. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect to be rewarding.

Trying new things that you may find scary can help to push you into something new. Consider facing some beliefs or feelings you might have that are holding you back. Fear of rejection, or the opinions of what others may think or say, making a mistake, or feeling some discomforts are all normal feelings to have when you do something you normally wouldn’t. This is where you grow and change, by doing something that might scare you a little bit.