Personal comfort zones are interesting creatures. They vary from person to person and are often situational. I call them creatures because they seem to lurk around and show up in different ways and at times when we least expect them. We create comfort zones to reduce stress and anxiety They provide a sense of security and familiarity allowing us to navigate our daily lives with less uncertainty. We naturally create them to give ourselves stability and yet…they can quickly become limitations that can prevent us from exploring new opportunities or experiences that add to our lives.
Personal comfort zones often show up in disguise. They even come disguised as good things. One of the ways they come disguised to me is in my habits. Habits can be both good and bad depending on their impact on our lives. Good habits contribute to our well-being and productivity. They help us achieve our goals, maintain discipline, and improve our overall quality of life. Bad habits, aka negative habits, can be detrimental to our physical and mental health, hinder our progress and negatively affect our relationships. What I find really interesting is that some habits that appear good can be bad if we are using them to protect us and keep us safe. They can actually be forms of procrastination that might be keeping us from something instead of adding to our lives. For example, I have a daily journal practice. No matter how early I have to get up for something, I will get up at least 45 minutes to one hour earlier so I can drink a cup of coffee and write in my journal. I have had this daily practice for over 30 years. That sounds like a good habit, right? Well, yes, and sometimes no. What I have discovered is that I have and do at times use this as a way to procrastinate. I will write about something instead of doing something that is productive. It is my safe place and it sometimes keeps me too safe.
Getting out of our comfort zones is not an easy thing. After all, they are designed to keep us safe, and safe feels good…or does it? Safe feels good for a time but over time…well, if left unchallenged, can lead to a less than satisfactory life. I challenge you today to get out of one of your comfort zones and do something out of the ordinary for you. Sometimes even the smallest thing can start you on a new trajectory that can help you breathe new life into yourself.
Here is a list to get you started:
- Call someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. I recently did this. I randomly scrolled through my phone and called someone I haven’t spoken to for a couple of years just to see how he is doing. Not only did we catch up but he invited me to go on a hike which is also out of my comfort zone. I guess you can say I got two for one lol.
- Strike up a conversation with a stranger
- Try a new cuisine
- Go to your favorite restaurant and instead of ordering the same thing you usually do, order something different
- Set your alarm for 3 am and get up and write in a journal.
- Volunteer for a cause you’ve never been involved with
- Volunteer to speak at your child’s school on your occupation
- Volunteer to coach your child’s sport
- Volunteer to make a meal or dish for an organization
- Volunteer to help with a fundraiser
- Visit a stranger or strangers in a nursing home
- Try a new form of exercise like yoga or Pilates
- Move your furniture around in your home or office
- Change the order of a routine or habit you have
- If you usually go to the gym in the morning try going at night
- If you usually put your left shoe on first, put on your right shoe first
- If you normally check your emails first thing in the morning force yourself to do it after you do one of the things on this list
- Learn a new musical instrument
- Listen to a different type of music
- Read a book from a genre you usually avoid
- Watch a how-to video of something you’ve been wanting to learn
- Meditate for 5 minutes or 10 or 15
- Wear a silly hat or wig or clown nose around town
- Take a dance or fitness class
- Take a class in a subject you know nothing about
- Experiment with a new hairstyle or clothing style
- Take a different route on your daily commute
- Learn to cook a complex dish from a different culture
- Take up a creative hobby like painting, drawing, or writing
- Learn to do something practical, like basic car maintenance
- Take on a DIY home improvement project
- Attend a lecture or seminar on a topic you’re curious about
- Try a challenging puzzle or brain-teaser
- Try your hand at gardening
- Attend a comedy show or open mic night
- Learn to juggle or perform basic magic tricks
- Engage in a debate or public speaking event
- Start a blog or YouTube channel about a topic you’re passionate about
- Write and perform a short speech or presentation
- Go to a social event alone and meet new people
- Take a digital detox for a day or weekend
- Try a new form of art, like sculpture or pottery
- Visit a museum or gallery out of your norm
- Rearrange your closet or drawers
- Clean out your garage
- Give a bouquet of flowers to a stranger
- Learn a new computer skill like photo editing
- Improve your vocabulary by learning and using a new word each week
- Travel to a place you’ve never been before
- Choose 10 things on this list and commit to a new one each week for 10 weeks
I hope you have found this list helpful to get you started doing a new thing or two once in a while. Sometimes the simplest things can have profound improved long-term effects. What will you take action on today?
Much love,
Suzi