Taking the chance to step out of your comfort zone can be life-changing. We’ve all had moments in life that are difficult to navigate. These moments can range from achieving goals, to deciding to move across the country for a job or relationship.
No matter what the situation is, you’ll have to decide between staying in your comfort zone or pushing yourself and trying something new. Getting out of your comfort zone can be hard but also incredibly rewarding.
Step out of your comfort zone # 1: Personal Growth
It is important to get out of your comfort zone because it allows you to grow as a person. Growth can be measured in so many ways, but testing your limits is important.
One of my favorite quotes is “be comfortable with the uncomfortable.” My spinning instructor would say it during class. while I brushed it off at first, it soon became my mantra for when things were hard. I would just focus on the fact that being uncomfortable is temporary and that I need to accept it. I know that I have definitely seen myself grow in a variety of ways due to the fact that I adopted this mantra and applied it to a variety of experiences.
Step out of your comfort zone # 2: Get Comfortable Saying ‘Yes’
Another way to get out of your comfort zone is to say “yes” to things that scare you. I used to be unwilling to try lots of new things, and then I read Shonda Rhimes’ book Year of Yes. Something clicked when I read this book; she described what it was like to spend a year on things that petrified her and it was empowering.
I am afraid of heights, not like a little afraid, but really afraid. One summer I was visiting a friend and I agreed to go zip lining. Was this the best situation to put myself into? Probably not, but I was going to follow through with it. We started climbing through this ropes course to the platform to zip line across the river and I started shaking so visibly that my friend asked if I was sure that I wanted to continue. I said yes and so when we got to the platform my friend went first, and then I followed.
Once we reached the other side, I was so happy. although it was one of the scariest moments of my life, I survived. For me that was the point, I survived. would I zip line again? No, but I learned that I can do it and be okay.
This is the point of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, you learn what you like and don’t like. and more importantly, you learn that you will be okay if you try something new.
So, Say yes to things that scare you and be comfortable with the uncomfortable and you can do anything you want!
Comment below with a time you pushed yourself out of your comfort zone!
Written by Hilary of the Cross Country Millennial