Setting Challenges Outside My Comfort Zone

Being in your comfort zone, perhaps cuddled on the couch in your pjs binging your favourite show feels great, and sometimes it is exactly what we need for an hour or so. But we don’t learn much or grow as people in our comfort zone!

Stepping out of our comfort zone helps us build confidence, resilience, learn new skills and (often) meet new people. New challenges and experiences rewire your brain and make it more adaptable, stronger and healthier. 

If it seems scary, start small. Imagine a circle on a page and within that is your comfort zone, your routine, behaviours, habits, and familiar, predictable environments. What lies just outside the circle for you? Not so scary that it would cause you to freak out, but something appealing that you feel a bit nervous to do. Or maybe write a list starting out with small things slightly outside your comfort zone, all the way up to really big challenges. 

Maybe it is:

  • Trying new food 
  • Talking to someone different at school today 
  • Being the first to strike up a conversation 
  • Trying a different form of exercise like a Zumba class or ice skating
  • Watch a foreign film
  • Jumping in an ice bath, cold ocean or cold shower
  • Talking with someone who has different beliefs than you 
  • Becoming a ‘yes’ person for a day – say yes to every opportunity,
  • Being bored! Sit and do nothing and just be with your thoughts.

Tips for challenging yourself:

  1. Make a plan and start small. Don’t choose skydiving up first if you’ve a fear of heights!
  2. Sit with discomfort. It will feel uncomfortable at first. That’s okay! Stay with it. This feeling will pass. Sometimes it is tempting to think “but this feels scary and scary = bad”. That’s not always true. Sometimes feeling scared is a sign that you’re about to do something amazing!
  3. Get friends in on it. Tell your best friend your plan to step outside your comfort zone so she can cheer you on and keep you accountable!
  4. Document it. Take photos or journal your experience so you can look back on how brave you were and remember that you CAN do hard things!
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