Recently, a post got me thinking about the benefits of being in or out of our comfort zones.
I was frequently out of my comfort zone when I was a child, whether it was performing at competitions or examinations, or speaking publicly, or meeting new people (I was shy) in pretty much any context. But the first time that I deliberately went out of my comfort zone, with no idea how far (or how long) I would feel out of that zone, was as a 17-year-old when – terrified but excited – I boarded my first ever aeroplane and flew to Bangkok to live for a year on a student exchange. When I think of that year, and of subsequent work/life/travel experiences, I have always wanted the new experiences – new lands, new people, new tastes, smells, vistas, cultures, languages, experiences, and knowledge – more, so much more, than I didn’t want to feel awkward, nervous, embarrassed, frightened, lonely, horrified, and above all, uncomfortable.
Pretty much every time I’ve done something that has been out of my comfort zone, I have – in the end – been grateful for it, meeting wonderful or memorable people, learning more about myself and other people and the world, growing in knowledge and wisdom and confidence.
I do like it, though, the comfort of knowing a place and feeling at home there, of having good friends and family around me, of knowing I’m doing a good job, of knowing I’m capable and stretched but not stretched to breaking point. But as much as I like being comfortable, I get distinctly uncomfortable at the idea that I will not have any new, uncomfortable, and/or daunting learning experiences that might open my eyes to different ways of doing things or different ways of thinking.
There’s no doubt in my mind that the benefits of being outside my comfort zone far outweigh staying in it, even if right now I need to push myself a bit to get there.
Thanks for this!
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Comfort zones. I think I’m great if I’ve chosen to go outside of mine. But if I’m pushed by circumstance, then not so good at all!
Interesting post.
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I agree! That’s the thing about comfort zones – they’re uncomfortable. It’s only after the fact that we can appreciate what the experience gave us.
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Oh — I think illustr8d has a point. I think there is a big difference between stepping out and being pushed out. I’m not in my comfort zone right now. I’m trying to get back in my comfort zone and be okay with the fact that it will take time to find myself back on firm ground. But I don’t think I enjoy this process.
It also sounds like you had a great time there and it shaped your life. Do you think you would still say the same thing about being out of your comfort zone if you had had a negative experience? Do our first interactions shape how we feel about our next interactions?
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being brave is always worth it. 🙂
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