The comfort zone and what it means
A comfort zone is a great thing to have; it keeps you safe. It stops you from doing some very scary things…but it also stops you from doing scary cool things.
Back in 2014, I set a rather expensive precedent. When my oldest daughter – then 15 – expressed an interest in Japanese culture, I suggested we go there for her 18th birthday. We went in 2017, and have both been obsessed with going back ever since. It was the farthest either of us had ever travelled, and to a place where my grasp of the language was…basic!
That being said, I loved it so much that at the end of this week, I will be flying off – all on my own- to spend 12 days in Kansai. Flying halfway around the world on your own definitely falls within ‘stepping out of your comfort zone’!
Prior to Harri’s interest, I had never really thought about visiting Japan. To prepare, I dived into the culture. I joined forums, and Facebook groups, and met people online. In fact, I am still friends with Yumi, whose house we ended up staying in. We still speak regularly and she will be putting me up on my next trip too.
Then Hannah (next youngest) said she wanted to go to Hollywood for her 18th… which we did in 2019. As well as a side trip to the beach at Santa Monica. She got to try the Voodoo donuts, go to the Death Museum and stand on a Hollywood star as we walked down the Boulevard.
Luckily for me (and my wallet) my eldest son had his birthday smack in the middle of Covid. As he is also not a huge fan of travel. he was more than happy to take the cash option (which is always an option) and use it to buy a tablet to further his animation ambitions.
And then, there is my 16-year-old.
While he initially wanted to visit Costa Rica to see sloths, he has since discovered the ‘Wasteland Weekender’. It’s a five-day event in the Californian desert – think ” Mad Max meets Fallout”; a dystopian-style festival. So that is what he wanted to do in 2024.
Although he has now found out that there is a non-desert equivalent held in the UK. All the post-apocalyptic fun, but none of the sand and potential for heat stroke! And as he could then also take the cash difference, he is seriously weighing up his options.
So why worry about it now? It’s not for another year, and if he stays true to form, he may have changed his mind by then.
Well, to be honest, I am really hoping he doesn’t change his mind. Despite being well outside of my usual aesthetic and comfort zone, I am totally down for a long weekend with an ‘end-of-the-world’ vibe.
And that long-winded introduction tenuously links to the reason for this post. To look at stepping out of your comfort zone, giving you reasons why you should and offering some tips on where to start.
Stepping out of your comfort zone
We have already discussed why change is good for you here at the Pad, and stepping out of your routine is a great example of this.
In the words of Homer Simpson “Trying is the first step towards failure”. If you are stuck in a mindset where you want to avoid failure and where you want to keep yourself protected from potential risks, you are staying in your ‘comfort zone’. It’s a safe space where nothing can happen to you.
But that also means you cannot grow or learn.
This comfort zone is not just a physical space, like your home or your favourite haven. It is also a construct within our heads.
This is why we tend to buy the same products when we do our food shop. It is why we may have a go-to comfy outfit that we put on when we are at home, and it is why many of us have a daily routine that we can almost unconsciously walk through.
The comfort zone offers an excuse to not challenge the status quo, as we are happy where we are. Why risk upsetting the apple cart?
While this zone is, well, comforting, it is only when you choose to step out of it that you will see positive change in your life.
Stepping out of your comfort zone is an essential step towards personal growth and development. When you stay within your comfort zone, you limit your experiences, and you don’t get to learn new things. It’s easy to get stuck in your routine, but when you break free and try new things, you open yourself up to a world of possibilities.
Why your need to leave your comfort zone
We’ve established that a comfort zone is a great place, but you shouldn’t live there permanently. Here are five good reasons why you need to leave it.
- You learn more about yourself
When you step out of your comfort zone, you learn more about yourself. You discover what you’re capable of, what you enjoy, and what you don’t like. You also learn how to adapt to new situations, which is a valuable skill that can be applied to all areas of your life.
- You build your confidence
By swapping up your routine and trying new things, you build confidence in yourself. You prove to yourself that you’re capable of handling new situations and challenges. This confidence can carry over into other areas of your life, such as work, relationships, and personal goals.
- You grow as a person
Stepping out of your comfort zone allows you to grow as a person. You become more open-minded, adaptable, and resilient. You learn to take risks and become more willing to embrace change. All of these are qualities that are essential for your personal growth and development.
- You can discover new opportunities
You discover new opportunities that you may not have otherwise found when you step out of your comfort zone. It is a chance to meet new people, try new things, and explore new places. These experiences can lead to new opportunities, both personally and professionally.
- You can overcome fears and limiting beliefs
Stepping out of your comfort zone requires you to overcome your fears and limiting beliefs. You may have a fear of public speaking, for example, but if you push yourself to give a presentation, you’ll discover that it’s not as bad as you thought. Similarly, you may have a limiting belief that you’re not good at something, but when you try it, you may surprise yourself.
Stepping out tips
It’s all very well my advocating change for you, but what does that look like in practice? How do you go about stepping out of a comfort zone that has served you well? Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Start small
If you’re hesitant to step out of your comfort zone, start small. Take baby steps towards trying new things. For example, if you’re afraid of heights, start by climbing a small hill before tackling a mountain.
- Try something new
Try something new that you’ve always wanted to do. Whether it’s taking a cooking class or learning a new language, trying something new can be a great way to step out of your comfort zone.
- Embrace Failure
Don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is a part of the learning process, and it’s through our failures that we grow and learn. Embrace the idea that it’s okay to fail and that it’s an opportunity to learn and grow.
- Surround yourself with supportive people
Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage you to step out of your comfort zone. They can provide you with the encouragement and motivation you need to take risks and try new things.
This can be so important, particularly if you have people in your life who can be discouraging. You only need one friend or family member to ‘cheerlead’ for you to make you feel like what you are doing is worthwhile.
In conclusion, stepping out of your comfort zone is an essential step towards personal growth and development. It allows you to learn more about yourself, build confidence, grow as a person, discover new opportunities, and overcome fears and limiting beliefs. By taking small steps and trying new things, you can push yourself out of your comfort zone and experience all that life has to offer.
What small step will you take today?
Is there something on your Kettle List that you have been putting off?
Why not try making a start today?