I used to be scared to try anything new. I would order the same food at my favorite restaurants, listen to the same kind of music, and watch movies I knew I already loved. I didn’t know it at the time, but those small habits I couldn’t break were rooted in fear. It’s a fear that everyone encounters at some point in their lives; the fear of the unknown. However, you can address it head on and embrace the not knowing or you can restrict yourself to only what you know. There is a comfort in sameness and repetition, but it took me years to realize what it was costing me. It’s hard to leave your comfort zone, but trust me, you’re missing out on some great new experiences. It is hard to grow as a person and find your passions in life without stepping outside of your comfort zone. It is just the initial risk of leaving behind a safe feeling of satisfaction and striving for more.
So what are some of the small ways I began to break out of my comfort zone? Well, before anything can change, you have to want things to change. I slowly came to the realization that just because I was comfortable doesn’t mean I was happy. Don’t get me wrong, I was having fun and there were happy moments, but they were curbed. I started with small steps; buying some clothes I wouldn’t normally wear and forcing myself to try them out. I tried to start new habits, achievable habits. I started reading more instead of gravitating to my comfort television shows, but the biggest and most cliche change that I made in my life was starting to say “yes” to new opportunities.
No, you have not accidentally stumbled onto a motivational speaker’s article, but I will stand by this action as one of the most influential things I have done in a long time. It’s so easy to say no. It’s so easy to close the door or new possibilities, but I urge you to try saying yes to something new. Of course, if you know you’re not going to have fun, don’t force yourself, but if there is even the slightest inclination that you might want to try it, ask yourself: what is stopping me? The only thing stopping you is you. Say yes to going out with some new friends, say yes to attending a club meeting you might be interested in, say yes to grabbing coffee with your crush from that English class. Trust me, I know this is easier said than done. As a veteran over thinker, I had to add a couple extra sanctions for myself on the “just say yes” motto. I would say yes and then completely put it out of my mind. I would refuse to think about it until it was too late to back out. Every time a worry popped into my head I would distract myself until the thought drifted away.
Yes, this all sounds a little silly, but I promise you try it once and you will be able to live life in a completely different way. Start small, recognize where you tend to fall into your same habits. Then start to make a conscious effort to step outside of your comfort zone, because while it may seem safe it’s anything but.
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