It’s Okay to Be Uncomfortable!
There is a reason we love our comfort zones. They are comfortable! There is a point and purpose to a comfort zone, and there is also a point to leaving the comfort zone. But before diving into the nitty-gritty, it may be beneficial to establish what the comfort zone actually is to set the foundation. The comfort zone may be viewed as a psychological state where things are safe and familiar to someone. That person is at ease and feels in control of the environment. Stress and anxiety are low. It might even be important to bring up that the body would be reflecting this psychological state. In other words, that state of safety and familiarity are alive and the body feels more at ease and at peace.
Now, what about outside the comfort zone? There are two different places that need to be explored. First is the edge where one learns and grows. This area can be broken into three parts, or shades as they will be referred to. The first shade is the edge where fear sneaks in. This is the place where self-confidence is not built up and we find excuses or reasons why one can’t engage in this task, event, or learning experience. In this place, the environment can easily have an impact. Things such as other people’s opinions or thoughts. However, if a person persists, the next shade brings a person to the learning zone where new learning happens and the comfort zone expands. Continuing past, one reaches the final shade which is the growth zone where one may find aspects of purpose and a drive to set new goals.
Above two different places were mentioned. The first was just discussed and now it is time to look at the second place, the panic or danger zone. This place is one where a person cannot take in any new information because the body and the mind are expressing extreme stress and anxiety. Here one might be edging towards a trauma response because of how far it takes someone out of the comfort zone. As mentioned earlier the body will also be playing a part in giving signals and signs that this place has been reached. One can become hyperaroused or hypoaroused. Hyperarousal is the one most people think of but hypoarousal is also a response to extreme stress. In this case, the body and mind disconnect, go numb or dissociate.
All these shades and places have a purpose and are necessary. The comfort zone allows us to function from day to day and go about our daily tasks. The places on the edge of the comfort zone or the shades are where we learn and grow. They allow one to adapt, evolve, grow, thrive, and flourish. Even the panic or danger zone serves a purpose. It lets one know when they have gone too far and to take a step back. Together they help give us information that we can use.
The brain is an amazing organ. It was made to change. There is a concept called neuroplasticity, which basically means that the brain is able to form new neural connections based on new experiences and information. The body was made to adapt, which means that we have the body level capacity with us always! That process of learning and growing lives in the mind, heart, and body.
Why bring all of this up? We tend to turn away from discomfort instead of staying with it and learning from that experience. It is very easy to jump into our comfort zone by ignoring, turning away, disengaging, or pretending that an event or experience isn’t happening. We feel our minds and bodies react and are not sure how to stay with that experience, which is why we jump back. What if we instead decided to turn towards those situations that challenge us? We usually come out the other side in a better place with new skills and wisdom. That does not mean that the process will be easy, but it is worth it! We may find that we need a different skill set to help move through challenging situations, so we go and learn something new and bring it to the next scenario. Or we may find that we were simply standing in our own way because of fear. No matter what the case, trust yourself that the journey through the growth zone will yield beautiful results.
A blue couch and red bench next to each other.
take action moment today:
Practice! Start with challenging yourself to learn a new hobby, language, or skill. Give yourself that mindful experience so that you know you can do it again when the stakes might be higher. Also, practice skills that will help you stay with any thoughts or body sensations that normally cause you to turn back to the comfort zone. Maybe that is focusing on your breath while noticing what is happening, for example.
As you practice, remember to celebrate and acknowledge what you just learned or accomplish. Give yourself that treat! The brain will also like it and react accordingly!
Learn More About the Comfort Zone:
How to Leave Your Comfort Zone and Enter Your ‘Growth Zone’