Study Tips/Inspirational: Stepping Out Of Our Comfort Zones

Stepping Out Of Our Comfort Zones

Each one of us tends to live most of the time within a comfort one. In that well defined area, we feel secure and we know how to operate within those confines.

We have had a lot of practice in the things within this comfort zone. We can say some things and express certain emotions easily there because we are comfortable expressing them. There are other emotions which give us trouble to express because they are outside the boundaries of the comfort zone.

Others are so far distant that it is almost impossible for us to express them. Some actions come easily and comfortably. We can do them almost without thinking. But there are others which intimidate us. Just thinking about them can give us butterflies in our stomachs.

Our comfort zones also incorporate the clothes we wear, being comfortable about certain fashions and colours, but awkward or too conspicuous in others.

One of the obstacles to our growth is that we tend to rationalize these comfort zones. We say things like, "That’s just not me", or "That’s not my style." Or perhaps, "I never associate with that kind of person." "I do not feel comfortable doing that."

The most effective rationalization is to say "I just can’t." That is usually final and dismisses any argument. If we can’t, we can’t. There is nothing more to be said. And we can be left alone in our wonderful comfort zone!

The term "stretching" is applied to the deliberate stepping out of our comfort zones. It means trying something that seems right and reasonable, but which fear prevented us from attempting. It does not include anything that is obnoxious or likely to hurt another person.

All growth involves some change and in order to change we must attempt new things, which means stepping out of our comfort zones. It means that we have to stretch. In the beginning we may feel a little clumsy or awkward, but with repetition we will expand our comfort zones, perhaps a little bit each time.

I will step out of my comfort zone today, and "stretch".