5 Reasons You Should Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone!
There’s no doubt that given the choice between staying in your comfort zone and trying new things, most of us will choose the former. After all, doing things that we’re not used to is not just stressful and is not without risk—why venture out there when you can stay right where you are, safe and secure?
The downside is that staying in our comfort zone evermore can hold us back from growth and brand new experiences. While it’s natural to want to stay in familiar territory, pushing ourselves outside of it can have significant benefits. If you need some convincing, we’ve compiled five compelling reasons why stepping out of your comfort zone will be the best thing you’ll ever do!
1. It’s a way to overcome our fears and anxieties.
Stepping outside our comfort zone means doing things that may make us feel uncomfortable or scared, but facing our fears is a vital part of personal growth. Whether it's giving a public speech, taking on a new project at work, or simply trying a new hobby, challenging ourselves in new ways can help us build confidence and resilience.
Additionally, unless we try something, we can’t ever know if it’s something we’ll be good at or not! Breaking away from what we’re used to is a great way to discover and build new skills that can be useful in the long run.
2. This is the only way to learn new things!
When we choose to stick to familiar routines and surroundings, we limit our opportunities to learn new things. Stepping outside our comfort zone can expose us to new experiences, people, and ideas that we may not have encountered before. This expands our knowledge and understanding of everything and everyone around us. In the process, we then learn more about ourselves and the rest of the world.
For example: someone who has always worked in one field and decides to take a new project or job in a different industry not only exposes themselves to new skills. The process also allows them to see things from a different perspective! The benefits are endless because the more we learn, the easier we can navigate through life thanks to all the know-how we pick up along the way.
3. Stepping out means expanding our comfort zone.
When we regularly push ourselves out of our comfort zone, we actually expand it further. What once seemed scary or impossible can become more comfortable and familiar with practice. As we continue to try new things, we become more adaptable. We’re more open to change, which opens a lot more doors of possibilities, ones that would have remained closed otherwise.
It all really begins with one step, and then another: it’s ok to walk first, maybe stumble around a bit, as we get used to what’s unfamiliar. In no time though, as new things become old, we make room for more opportunities. Before we know it, we’re running headfirst into our full potential.
4. It’s a great way to boost creativity!
Trying new things can also lead to more creativity. When we're faced with situations that we’re not sure how to navigate, we're forced to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. We become more resourceful, too. The result? Something unique and one-of-a-kind. Instead of constantly thinking within limited constraints and keeping ourselves trapped in a single way of thinking, we train ourselves to look beyond.
Here’s a simple example: if you’re someone who has always painted with watercolors, trying a new medium like acrylics or oils can inspire you to experiment with new techniques. You might even start to like this different medium and discover that you’re quite adept at using it. Not to mention, this offers you a chance to try new styles that you might not have considered before.
As we explore new experiences and ideas, we develop new perspectives and ways of thinking that have a domino effect: it can enhance our creativity in all areas of our lives.
5. Beyond our comfort zone is a happier, more fulfilling life.
Finally, stepping out of our comfort zone can help us live life to the fullest. Trying new things can create memories that last a lifetime and give us a sense of accomplishment. When we push ourselves to do more, the world opens up to us and we are given the chance to experience a greater sense of purpose and joy in our lives.
When nothing is holding us back, life simply becomes a series of opportunities that are never out of reach or impossible as long as we try and keep trying.
It’s time to walk away from your comfort zone and try new things!
A life of complacency is rarely a happy one. If we truly want to experience life at its fullest, then we have to step past the boundary of our comfort zone and into the unknown. Otherwise, we’ll never learn or grow, stuck as we are in place, safe and secure but dissatisfied. So don’t let your comfort zone be a cage!
Instead, make sure your life is well lived.
In what ways have you challenged yourself and stepped out of your comfort zone? What were the amazing things that you learned or experienced in doing so? Let us know in the comments! We’d love to know your story.
