How to Expand Your Comfort Zone: Breaking Boundaries and Finding Growth
Did you know that 2% of the population is venturing into new areas, such as discovering new experiences, prioritizing happiness, and living without boundaries, among other things?
Life often demands that we step beyond the familiar horizon of our comfort zones. Whether it's an exciting career opportunity, a new cultural experience, or a personal challenge, our growth depends on our willingness to venture into the unknown.
Let's begin by understanding what a comfort zone really is. It's that cozy space where our actions and behaviors fit a routine and pattern that minimizes stress and risk. It's a mental realm where we find emotional security. However, as Neale Donald Walsch wisely noted, "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone."
The Self-called Inspiring Tale of a Self-called Fearless Explorer
Before diving into this. the story is about my experience so I hope you won’t find it weird or narcissistic that I’m referring to myself in the third person, it is more fun this way. I thought about telling the stories of some popular inspiring people but I thought ‘Wait, nobody knows mine’.
Meet a good embodiment of what it means to expand one's comfort zone: a young woman who moved to France from Morocco and Italy (long story…) to pursue mathematics studies at the age of 19. Her journey wasn't just about algebra and calculus; it was about stepping into a world of uncertainties and challenges, alone, as an independent spirit. (I am, indeed, referring to myself in the third person… It is more fun this way!)
Her adventures didn't stop at academia. She embarked on solo trips around Europe and Asia, backpacking and sharing her thoughts, music, and personal stories with those she met. Can you imagine the myriad of experiences, emotions, international friends, and memories that would have been lost had she chosen to stay within the confines of her comfort zone?
But it doesn't end there. With just a few months of driving experience under her belt, gained at 19 but untouched until she was 26, she daringly took on the Iceland ring road for two weeks with her sister (Yes, I guess I gambled with my sister’s life…) exploring the mesmerizing landscapes of the land of ice and fire. And today? She's diving headfirst into the dynamic world of social media, sharing her tales and tunes. Speaking to a camera, editing her own videos, and writing her own blog posts, confronting the paradox of feeling both vulnerable and empowered – it's an exercise in self-discovery.
Somewhere in Iceland on the our SUV camping tent. As though navigating an unfamiliar country with limited driving experience wasn't challenging enough, we also pitched a tent atop our rental car for an outdoor camping adventure.
Embracing the Uncomfortable: Tips to Push Your Boundaries
Set Small, Achievable Goals: Start with small steps. It might be initiating a conversation with a stranger, trying a new hobby, or sharing a personal story online.
Accept Discomfort: Understand that it's natural to feel uneasy or scared. It's a sign you're stretching your boundaries.
Educate Yourself: Often, we fear what we don't know. If something seems daunting, learn about it. Knowledge equips us to handle challenges and I guess you already know that books are the best place to start.
Visualize Success: As Michael Phelps said, "I think goals should never be easy, they should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time." Besides, you need to give your body the taste of a glorious moment even if you are not experiencing it at the moment (You can dive into Joe Dispenza's work if you want to know more about this. Trust me, you won’t regret it)
Stay Persistent: Challenges can be discouraging. Remember why you started and focus on the growth each experience offers. The magic is on the other side of doing the work and keep doing it. It’s easy to give up and nothing glorious comes from the easy road.
Seek Support: Let go of your ego and ask for help when it’s needed. Nobody on this earth reached success alone. Trust me, there is no such thing as self-made, there is only self-seek help to be made. Also, make sure you surround yourself with supportive friends and family. After all, we are the average of the people we hang out with. Our environment reflects our image.
Reflect on Your Achievements: Recognize and celebrate your successes. Each achievement, no matter how small, is a step out of your comfort zone.
By embracing the unknown, we not only discover the world around us but also the universe within us.
So, the next time you're on the verge of shying away from an opportunity, remember that every uncharted territory holds the promise of a transformative adventure.
Some Statistics:
The health benefits that most improve during a trip include improved emotional well-being (54%), connection with loved ones (52%), amount of energy (35%), intellectual curiosity (34%), and mental clarity (30%) according to AARP Travel Research: The Health Outcomes of Travel – Perceptions of Boomers. So go take that trip!
A 2016 study led by Newcastle University epidemiologist Nicole Valtorta, Ph.D., for example, linked loneliness to a 30 percent increase in the risk of stroke or the development of coronary heart disease 20. So go talk to people and put yourself out there.
There appears to be an association between mental wellbeing and loneliness: research estimates that 60% of people experiencing chronic loneliness experience mental distress, compared to 15% of people who are not chronically lonely. See more.
