Nothing will make you feel more inspired than stepping outside of the usual and doing something you don’t ordinarily do.
It could be something as simple as finally going to that support group, doing something for yourself like salsa dancing, joining a historic preservation foundation or making that move to start your own business.
The point?
You won’t find excitement and adventure in your comfort zone because that area is surrounded with padded walls to protect you from any new ideas that might hatch. You gotta break out of there to find connection, peace, excitement, and joy.
We get in ruts, doing the same thing the same way, because it’s easy. We miss opportunities to make tweaks and changes until it’s too late to catch up and the burden of such change is monumental and overwhelming.
The absolute number one issue I’ve seen with joyless lives is the lack of willingness to make changes and break out of a rut. When you stubbornly keep doing things the same way and knocking your head against the same wall waiting for something to go back to the way it was, you don’t find new solutions.
Breaking out of your zone gives you the perspective you need to see the cracks before they become gaping holes so you can make changes. If you have a loved one struggling with an issue, it’s not going to present itself if your brain is on a hamster wheel.
- Take some risk. The world is unpredictable. Why should you be? Your comfort zone is comfortable because you know what to expect. You may fear that going outside it could mean you might fail or lose big time. Let’s say you go to a new restaurant. It could be a disaster. But then it could end up being a great new discovery. So take risks with a small price tag. Even if you fail on an experiment, you can chalk it up to a learning experience. And that’s gaining something called knowledge.
- Look forward to the unknown. Excitement and fear are closely related emotions. So all you need to do is transform that fear into excitement. The unexpected can often be the one thing that really opens your mind and imagination.
- Quit being lazy. Sometimes it’s just a matter of not wanting to do something. Why should I? Kick yourself in the butt and do something so you can reap endorphin rewards. You only live once.
- Get over what others think. You cannot judge yourself based on what others think. That will seal you in a comfort zone box forever. Think about the most effervescent people you’ve come across. Odds are, they weren’t meek, agreeable wallflowers.
What I’ve delivered here is a recipe for opening your mind. Changing yourself helps you stop blaming yourself for things outside your control and allows you to live more.
I have found this to be so true. It really is amazing power and energy when we do step outside our comfort zone. At one time in my life, I remember being completely afraid of leaving my house except to go to work. Someone invited me to be a part of a group that helped put on local community entertainment. I ended up helping out which meant I helped sell tickets. It became a close group of friends that enabled me to go much further in my healing. The best thing was it took me out of my comfort zone and got me living life. The things that I never thought I would do at that time became something that really changed my world.
Wow. Wasn’t that thoughtful of your friends to nudge you out of that vacuum. You have come such a long way and you have worked hard for that.