From the comfort zone to the ‘discomfort’ zone
Ah yes, the comfort zone … the little bubble we each create for ourselves from time to time in which things are easy, where we live with little to no strain, where conversation between friends and family is effortless. We all know this feeling well and there is a reason we call it our ‘comfort zone’, well, because it's comfortable! I do think there are times and seasons in our lives where it might be favourable to remain within the comfort zone, when you are going through a hard time for instance or you just need to take a break … that’s totally valid!
What does the comfort zone look like?
However, the problem with the comfort zone is we sometimes fail to see we are in it, or the length of time we have remained there. With this, it can temporarily rob us of a sense of adventure, spontaneity and growth. The longer we go on living in this bubble, the smaller it gets. For example, you’re used to seeing friends on the weekend or going for a daily run. For some reason you miss your run one day and you decide to not see your friends. Then, all of a sudden you find yourself preferring to sit on the couch and binge tv series as opposed to making the effort to text that friend or put on your running gear. Something you once found effortless all of a sudden becomes ‘outside your comfort zone’.
Your comfort zone tends to shrink the more you fall prey to it.
why do we prefer to live in our comfort zones?
Why do we do this? Well, the comfort zone is all about avoiding pain ultimately. It gives us a ‘free pass’ to not do those things we’d rather not, to not have that awkward conversation or to not enter our names in for that competition. This pain that we aim to avoid is often linked with the fear of not being good enough, a belief that we might be incapable of achieving what lies beyond this imaginary bubble.
The comfort zone of each individual is very personal and is often linked to our temperament in some way or another and with this, it varies from person to person. Perhaps someone is very diligent in their studies, they spend all their time on homework and preparing for exams, well because that’s something they know they can do well. But what about socialising with new people? Perhaps that is something they run from because it is so far from what they are used to. They are not incapable of socialising, they simply choose not to because well … it requires extra effort on their part! However, do not fear, the more we dip our toes into the water of discomfort, the less resistance we feel towards it. Like many things in life, this is a process.
The ‘discomfort’ zone
With this in mind, life should not be lived constantly in our comfort zone, we should regularly seek to make ourselves uncomfortable, to do things that scare us, achieve what we think impossible. There are many benefits to going beyond our comfort zone. Here are just 3 reasons you should aim to live in your ‘discomfort zone’ …
Growth - We have heard time and time again that growth lies on the other side of fear. If we never learn to challenge our capabilities we never stretch ourselves. As human beings we should constantly be looking to grow and level up and doing things outside our norm is what allows us to grow both mentally and emotionally.
Self Identity - Becoming that person who is constantly challenging themselves shows you have a strong vision for yourself. You see yourself as someone who is capable of growth and adaptation, who is not happy to settle for an easy and comfortable life.
Confidence - Not limiting yourself to your comfort zone means you can put your mind to anything you want, and even if you are not confident at first, you will gradually become confident in your new found skills and abilities.
So, what could you implement in your life at this moment to live within the ‘discomfort’ zone?
Sarah Murphy