3 of my best ways to step out of your comfort zone

I’m currently making some work changes, so I thought this was a good time to post a piece with my best ways to step out of your comfort zone! 

Your comfort zone includes things that are familiar to you. When you need to feel safe, you retreat to that center point. Try stepping out of your comfort zone to think differently. Some people find that following a routine helps life run relatively smoothly, and while doing this may help keep you organized and on track, it may also decrease your ability to see new ideas or take some risks.

Sometimes you need to change it up to challenge yourself and get out of a rut.

This activity can help you determine what’s in your comfort zone and what you consider risky.

Create three columns

Clouds over New York. Travelling alone is a fear for some. 

• In the first column, write down the things you feel totally safe doing (e.g. exercising at home, going to a friend’s house, getting take-out food).
• In the second column, write down some things you feel a little uncomfortable doing (e.g. joining a class, cooking new things, going to an unfamiliar place).
• In the last column, write down the things you feel incredibly uncomfortable doing and would do if necessary (e.g. starting a conversation with a stranger or travelling alone to an unfamiliar destination).

Check off the items in the second column that you can try to incorporate into your life, one at a time. See if there’s anything you could get yourself to do in the third column, even if it’s with someone else’s support.

Quick tips to step out of your comfort zone

Professionally or at school

• Speak to someone you see every day but have never talked to before, even if you just start by saying hello.
• Rearrange your work area; changing your environment can sometimes spark something.
• Take an alternate route to or from work or school.
• Eat lunch in a different place or with someone new.
• Pretend it is your first day and see if you react differently to things or the people you’re usually around.
• Look around for something you haven’t used before or in a long time and see if you can figure out a new use for it.

Personally

• Try a dish you haven’t eaten before.
• Look for inspiration around you.
• Try learning a different language.
• Learn a new skill, e.g. ballet, boxing, skating, art class, or photography.
• Read a book about an unfamiliar topic.
• Watch a different movie genre. Do you usually only watch comedies? Try a drama or sci-fi movie instead.
• Look at your everyday surroundings and see if you can take unusual photos. It will help you look at them from a new viewpoint.
• Rearrange some of the items in your kitchen or tackle a bigger change, like rearranging your furniture.

These are some of my best ways to step out of your comfort zone. What are some of yours?

Check out some more healthy living posts.

Photo credit: canva.com