Spread the love
" />
Back to home
in Life & Leisure, Travel

Stepping out of our Comfort Zones

  • May 7, 2014
  • By 50 Shades
  • 20 Comments

051

The definition of Comfort Zone is “a behavioural state within which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviours to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk”.

So why are we ‘stuck in a rut’, so-to-speak, and afraid to step out of our comfort zones to explore new and exciting possibilities in our lives? Are we really conditioned to be ‘creatures of routine’ and does doing something different cause us anxiety?

Getting Stuck in our Comfort Zones

Neuroscientist, chiropractor, author and lecturer, Dr. Joe Dispenza is an expert on the brain, mind and human potential and in his latest book, Evolve your brain – The science of changing your mind, he states:

“It is clear, based on the newest science, that we all become conditioned to stay in our comfort zones and our brain keeps us there. Regardless of whether it is more money you want, a better relationship, amazing energy, work that you love, or the body of your dreams, your outer world of results is determined by your inner world. When you change your inner program, you change the results in your life. To win the outer game, you must first master the inner game”.

Stepping out of our comfort zones

It is a bit like ‘good cop, bad cop’. One part of your brain is saying be sensible “don’t go on that holiday to the Galapagos Islands, it is too risqué”, whilst the other part is saying “why not, it could be the most exciting place you have ever been”. It is so easy just to stay home and not go anywhere because that does not involve any effort.

Some people tend to be content in their comfort zones, working at the same job all their lives, living in the same house, eating the same food, going on holidays to the same destination year after year. Then there are others who live life on the edge, taking unnecessary risks, trying new and exciting experiences every day of their lives and never able to sit idle. These types of people are often referred to as ‘thrill seekers’ or ‘hypos’.

My son is a pretty good example of this, he has a new idea every time you talk to him. One day he says “I’m going to ride a bicycle across Canada” and the next he says “I’m going to get a job in the Victorian Snowfields for the ski season”. Every day is a new adventure for him!

Stepping out of our Comfort Zones

Holidaying in Sri Lanka at Sigirya (or Lions) Rock

How to Step out of our Comfort Zones

So what actions, if any, do you need to take to get yourself out of your comfort zone? Well here are some helpful hints:

1.  Make a fool of yourself

Why not? Other people make fools of themselves all the time. Do something over-the-top embarrassing like sing at a Karaoke Bar, do your silly ‘bogan dance’ at your sons’ 21st or go skinny dipping in the ocean by moonlight! Go on – let yourself go!

2. Face your fears

Choose one of your fears and confront it head-on. Don’t like heights? Try skydiving, hiking a mountain or going to the top of a highrise building – whatever you can do, as long as the idea of it makes you uneasy. For example, some people are afraid of public speaking but take a public speaking course to overcome their fear.

Stepping out of our comfort zones

Snorkelling on the Ningaloo Reef

3. Become comfortable with taking risks

Say “yes” to every single opportunity that presents itself, big or small. From an invite to an event you typically wouldn’t attend, to a job promotion in a different city. Some things are life changers, and they should be embraced with open arms instead of shot down without consideration.

A friend of mine used to say “no” to every invite to lunch or coffee because she said she was too busy. But now she is one of the regulars as she has become comfortable with the notion of ‘going out with the girls’.

4. Enjoy the unknown

Go on an adventure and explore a surrounding city or an area you’re unfamiliar with, using no GPS or assistance from your phone. Enjoy being lost and getting around only by using your own initiative, and asking others for directions. Go to a restaurant you’ve never actually been to and order something unique off of the menu. Go swimming with the elephants in Thailand (I’ve done this and it was very rewarding!)

Stepping out of our comfort zones

So when was the last time you felt excited about not knowing what was going to happen next? If you’re deep in your comfort zone, it’s probably been a while. Don’t you miss it? Don’t you miss the mixture of anticipation and anxiety that makes your heart flutter and stomach turn at the same time? Bring that feeling back into your life!

A very wise person once said “A ship in a harbour is safe, but that’s not what a ship is built for”.

Spread the love
By 50 Shades, May 7, 2014 Kathy was a 50 something year old when she started up this blog 6 years ago, but has since turned over another decade and is now in her early 60s. She is married with two adult children and lives on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Kathy enjoys living life to the fullest and loves to keep fit and active by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Some of her interests include reading, photography, travelling, cooking and blogging! Kathy works part-time as a freelance writer but her real passion is travelling and photographing brilliant destinations both within Australia and overseas and writing about it.
  • 20

50 Shades

Kathy was a 50 something year old when she started up this blog 6 years ago, but has since turned over another decade and is now in her early 60s. She is married with two adult children and lives on the Tweed Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Kathy enjoys living life to the fullest and loves to keep fit and active by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly. Some of her interests include reading, photography, travelling, cooking and blogging! Kathy works part-time as a freelance writer but her real passion is travelling and photographing brilliant destinations both within Australia and overseas and writing about it.

20 Comments
  • Carlos Dickens
    May 7, 2013

    Hi, nice article. I really like it!

    • Kathy
      May 8, 2013

      Thank you Carlos. I hope you continue to find my articles of interest.

  • Holly
    May 11, 2013

    Ѕuρerb, what a web ѕіtе іt iѕ!
    Thiѕ webpage pгovides helpful data to uѕ, keep
    it uр.

    • Kathy
      May 11, 2013

      Thank you Holly for your comment. I’m so happy that you found my post helpful. I hope you will keep reading!

  • Sondra
    May 15, 2013

    My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find
    most of your post’s to be exactly what I’m looking for.
    Does one offer guest writers to write content to suit your needs?
    I wouldn’t mind writing a post or elaborating on many of the subjects you write in relation to here. Again, awesome web log!

    • Kathy
      May 15, 2013

      Hi Sondra, thank you that’s awesome! I would be open to hosting some guest blogs on my website as long as the blog is relevant to my subject matter. Send me an email (which is on my contact page) if you want to discuss this further.

  • how to make my ex boyfriend want me back
    May 23, 2013

    Hi there to all, how is everything, I think
    every one is getting more from this web site, and your
    views are nice for new users.

    • Kathy
      May 23, 2013

      Hi there back! Thank you for your positive comments. I hope you continue to enjoy reading my posts.

  • Zelda
    June 14, 2013

    whoah this blog is wonderful i really like reading your
    posts. Keep up the good work! You recognize, a lot of persons
    are looking round for this information, you can help them greatly.

    • Kathy
      June 14, 2013

      Thank you Zelda. I’m pleased that you are enjoying my blog. Please continue to read.

  • Louise Bowers
    May 7, 2014

    Loved this post. Do put on comfortable shoes when stepping out though…

  • Rae Hilhorst
    May 7, 2014

    I will definitely not be entering a Karaoke bar xxx

    • kathymarris
      May 7, 2014

      Ha ha why not? I usually game to try anything once!

  • bmpermie
    May 7, 2014

    Well said. Need a reminder from time to time.

    • Kathy
      May 7, 2014

      Thanks, we all need to put ourselves out there a bit more I feel!

  • Julie Dennis
    May 8, 2014

    Thanks Kathy, I needed this today. Today I have made a decision that will change the rest of my life & reading your blog made me realise that it was the comfort zone that has been stopping me in the past. I’m loving your blogs.

    • Kathy
      May 8, 2014

      You are very welcome Julie. Making the decision to quit our jobs and leave home to travel around Aus on a caravan certainly got us out of our comfort zones. Best thing we ever did! Thank you for reading my blogs :)

  • Pinky Poinker
    May 10, 2014

    You’ve inspired me Kathy! Despite liking 50 Shades of Age on FB, following you on Twitter and subscribing by email I somehow missed this post!

  • kathymarris
    May 10, 2014

    Well I’m glad you found it and that it has inspired you somewhat. My philosophy of life is to get off my backside and live it!

Comments are closed.

Partica
Buy my articles on

Download, Edit & Post
Quality Written Articles
Motorhome Republic
Loading search form...
I Want That Flight

OUT NOW!! 50 Shades of Age eBook

Women Over 50 Blogs

Subscribe To Blog Via Email

Don't miss new posts! Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.
Instagram API currently not available.