Whenever you want to try something, there is always that voice in the back of your head telling you to hold back. But, maybe it’s time to find experience in being uncomfortable.
Communication professor, Claude Taylor, explains, “Stepping out of your comfort zone can be a valuable way to learn more about yourself and stretch your mental and physical limits. Of course it can be scary, but the risk/reward benefits can be significant.” There is a lot to do to get out of your comfort zone, just grab a friend and start your adventure!
There’s so much you can do that you would have no idea about if you didn’t push yourself. Surround yourself with people who are willing to help you open up and be yourself. Lauren Niesz, junior English student shared, “Being someone who is introverted, I find it hard to get out of my comfort zone. But, I found a friend who helps me!” Using your friends is a great tool to help you ease yourself into trying something new. Neisz continued, “If she wasn’t so persistent on getting me to loosen up I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now.”
There are plenty of things that can help get you to loosen up and try new things, here are a few:
1. Don’t be afraid to be yourself- There’s no reason to be anyone but you. Just being yourself can lead to a lot of opportunities, so don’t hold back. Do whatever it is that makes you happy, and do not let the fear of being judged by others hold you back from anything.
2. Try something new- Do something you’ve always wanted to do. If you’ve always wanted to take a dance class, just try it! You’ve always wanted to try surfing? Why not? If there is something that you have wanted to do, there should be nothing stopping you. As long as you’re doing something reasonable, what’s stopping you?
3. Challenge yourself- Don’t let your fear hold you back. Do something that you might have always been afraid to do. Weather it’s an activity or even just trying a new kind of food. Put yourself out there to do something you are unsure of. The worst that can happen is that you fail, and you can always try again.
4. Take small steps- Don’t just throw yourself into any and every activity, take things slow. You’re trying something new, don’t rush it. It is okay to take things slow. Work at your own pace and you’ll be able to discover opportunities that you might have known about.
5.Trust yourself- You know what is best for you, and you should trust your own judgement. Sure, you might feel some doubt, but that’s no reason to limit yourself. There’s no one who knows you better than you know yourself. Trusting yourself will allow you to feel more comfortable with the decision you’re making.
It is easy to get out of your comfort zone, once you try it. Some of your best lessons can be learned when you’re out of your comfort zone.
Junior English and education student, Maddie Arecchi, says, “If you don’t step out of your comfort zone you can potentially miss out on a handful of opportunities that you don’t even know are available to you.”
There is so much you are able to do, and all you need to set your mind to it. It can be scary trying something new, but as they say, “Life is what happens outside of your comfort zone.
IMAGE TAKEN from blog.tahoemountainsports.com
