Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Embrace the Uncomfortable
Why Your Brain Loves Staying Put In Your Comfort Zone (And How to Trick It)
The Joy of New Experiences
Building Your Confidence
Design a Life You Love

Hey there, friend! Have you ever felt like you’re stuck in a rut? Like you’re living the same day over and over? Maybe you have dreams that you’re too scared to chase. Well, you’re not alone! We all have those moments. But guess what? You don’t have to stay there. You can create a life you truly love, a life filled with joy and excitement. All it takes is a little courage to step out of your comfort zone. As they say in philosophy, “just because things are the way that they are, doesn’t mean that is the way that they have to be.” When it comes to living your best life outside of your comfort zone, having a growth mindset is key.

What’s a comfort zone, you ask? It’s like your favorite cozy blanket, but instead of keeping you warm, it keeps you safe. But sometimes, that “safe” feeling stops you from growing and having amazing adventures and life experiences. Today, we’re going to talk about how to break free from that cozy blanket and start living your best life!

A graphic of a circle and inside it, "comfort zone" is written. There is a dot outside the circle and an arrow pointing to it which says "where the magic happens."

Being Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Imagine you’re learning to ride a bike. At first, it’s wobbly and scary, right? You might fall a few times. But each time you get back on, you get a little better. That’s what stepping out of your comfort zone is like. It’s about trying new things, even when they feel a little scary.

Think of it like this: your comfort zone is like a small room. It’s safe and familiar, but it’s also small. Stepping out of it is like opening a door to a whole new world!

Believe it or not, growing up I was a very shy and quiet kid. It wasn’t until late middle school when I started stepping out of my shell, and started to open up. One day I randomly decided to run for Student Government, and much to my surprise, I was elected in! From this I slowly yet surely started to find my own voice, and I found that I loved the challenge to step up and be a leader. From then on I challenged myself to be as involved in school as I could be, even in times where it may have been scary. I became President of the National Honor Society, President of Student Government, and even President of Peer Helpers. These roles forced me into a lot of uncomfortable situations where I often was in front of large groups of people and oftentimes speaking at large ceremonies. To this day, public speaking still makes me very nervous, but I am always left with a strong sense of pride within myself afterwards. I can also say that these opportunities have opened many doors for myself, doors that wouldn’t have opened if I hadn’t accepted the challenge to push myself out of my comfort zone in the first place.

Embrace the Uncomfortable

Okay, so we know it’s a little scary. But here’s a secret: being uncomfortable is where the magic happens! When you try something new, your brain starts to learn and grow. It’s like exercising a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it gets.

  • Small Steps, Big Changes: You don’t have to climb Mount Everest on your first try. Start small. Maybe try a new food, talk to someone new, or take a different route home. Each small step makes you braver. Little by little your confidence within yourself will grow from this. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is tough, so don’t overdo it on your first try. Soon you will learn the best process which works for you. 
  • It’s Okay to Mess Up: Nobody’s perfect! You might not succeed every time, and that’s okay. Mistakes are like lessons in disguise. They help you learn and grow. One of my favorite sayings goes “Rejection is merely Redirection.” In other words, when you miss out on something or mess up and fall short, that path in life was simply not meant for you, and the universe has a new path which is better for you. While you may not see it, the universe always has something working in your favor, you just have to put your trust in that. 
  • Find Your Cheerleaders: Surround yourself with people who believe in you. They’ll give you the courage to try new things and celebrate your wins. The saying that goes “you are the company that you keep” is somewhat accurate. When you spend a lot of time with someone, you are sharing experiences and thoughts, therefore it only makes sense that you’d want to surround yourself with people who inspire you to be your best self. If your friends are constantly putting you and everyone else down, and they never have anything positive to say or do, then maybe you’ll want to think about finding better people to allot your time towards.

Why Your Brain Loves Staying Put In Your Comfort Zone (And How to Trick It)

Your brain is like a super-smart computer, but it’s also a little lazy. It likes things to stay the same because it saves energy. That’s why it tells you, “Don’t try that! It’s too scary!”

But you can trick your brain!

  • Visualize Success: Imagine yourself doing the new thing and feeling happy and proud. This helps your brain get used to the idea. Soon the idea will be familiar, and you’ll naturally feel more at ease. Notice when you visualize this, you’re no longer within your box of comfort!
  • Break It Down: If something feels too big, break it into smaller steps. Like learning to play an instrument, you learn one note at a time. Even if the action is small, it still counts. 
  • Reward Yourself: When you do something brave, give yourself a pat on the back! Maybe treat yourself to your favorite snack or watch a funny movie. Positive reinforcement is encouraged here!

The Joy of New Experiences

Think about the best memories you have. Chances are, they involve trying something new. Maybe it was a trip to a new place, a fun game, or meeting a new friend. Those moments are special because they’re outside your comfort zone.

  • Discover Hidden Talents: You might be surprised at what you’re good at! Maybe you’re a great artist, a talented writer, or a super-fast runner. You’ll never know unless you try, and the good news is, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to stick with it. Find what works for you.
  • Make New Friends: Stepping out of your comfort zone can help you meet people who share your interests. Don’t ever be afraid to be the first to spark a conversation. I’ve made many friends in my lifetime by being the first to break the ice. 
  • Create Amazing Stories: Imagine telling your grandkids about all the amazing things you did! Those stories start with you being brave and stepping out of your comfort zone.

Building Your Confidence

Every time you step out of your comfort zone, you build your confidence. It’s like a muscle that gets stronger with each workout. Consistency is key here. 

  • Celebrate Your Wins: Big or small, celebrate every time you try something new. It shows you’re getting braver.
  • Don’t Compare Yourself: Everyone’s journey is different. Focus on your own progress and be proud of how far you’ve come. Always remember, another person’s accomplishments never take away from your own. There is enough room for us all here.
  • Be Kind to Yourself: There will be days when you feel scared or unsure. That’s okay! Be patient and kind to yourself, like you would to a friend. Treating ourselves with grace is key. 
  • Implement healthy habits: One of my favorite habits to keep myself feeling mentally balanced and motivated is listening to podcasts or taking the time to go through a guided meditation. I find that no matter how stressed I am in life with the million things I have going on, taking the time to slow down my mind is always a great way to recenter myself. Some of my favorite podcasts to listen to are The Mel Robbins Podcast with Mel Robbins, On Purpose with Jay Shetty, and The Psychology of Your 20’s with Jemma Sbeg.

Design a Life You Love

You have the power to create a life filled with joy and adventure. It starts with stepping out of your comfort zone.

  • What Do You Dream Of?: Write down your dreams and goals. What do you want to achieve? What makes you happy? Some of my favorite things to do is journal and write about all that I want to accomplish, and also set specific dates so that I feel more inclined to complete them. I also love to make vision boards on Pinterest or Canva. Envisioning your future and how you want your life to go is a great way to stay motivated and on track. 
  • Take Action Today: Don’t wait for the perfect moment. Start small and take one step today. Don’t be the person that sits around and waits for life to happen, life happens when you make it happen yourself. 
  • Keep Growing: Stepping out of your comfort zone is a lifelong journey. Healing is a constant state and there is always room to grow and better ourselves. Keep trying new things and never get too comfortable where you’re at in life. 

You are amazing, and you deserve a life filled with joy and excitement. The fact that we are here on this earth today, and we have the privilege to live, laugh, and love, is something we must never take for granted.  Don’t let your comfort zone hold you back. Be brave, try new things, and watch your world open up. Remember, it’s okay to be uncomfortable. It’s where the magic happens. You’ve got this! Now go out there and design a life you love!