It can be easy to catch yourself up in a comfort zone or rut, a pattern of living your day-to-day life one way with little variation. Which isn’t so bad – it’s predictable and safe. However, it can also prevent you from enjoying new experiences, growth opportunities, and finding new ways to do things. Where do you land when it comes to this – do you live a predictable life or one of much variation?
New Experiences
What I have found is that when I live my daily life in pretty much the same way day after day, while predictable, it gets a little boring for me. The days start to blend together and I find I am going through life on rote mode instead of fully experiencing all that life has to offer.
To ensure that I am inserting new experiences into my life daily, weekly, and monthly, I do self-checks quite often. I ask myself why I am still doing something a certain way (Is there a better way now?); I question if there’s a new route to University or school that might offer better scenery and perhaps an opportunity to meet new passersby; and I look at my day as a whole and see how I can mix it up a bit.
Growth Opportunities
Changing things up is a great way to provide ourselves with growth opportunities. And it’s never too late to learn new things! I find that when I explore new avenues (literally or figuratively) my eyes get opened in new ways, I see things in a brighter light, and I often learn about things I would not have otherwise.
To the contrary, if I stay in my safe circle of activities, not much changes. I don’t learn much new – that’s already been done. And I don’t see new perspectives or reach a new circle of potential friends.
New Ways to Do Things
Lastly, I have found that by mixing things up a bit I have learned new, easier way to do things I do daily or weekly repeatedly. It can be a time-saver for me in many ways. Sometimes it also has eliminated having to manually do the task all together! Plus, learning a new skill allows me to teach a friend it as well. I find I get a lot of energy from helping my friends and family.
But… There is Extra “Safety” in Living in your Comfort Zone
However, all that said, staying in our comfort zone sometimes is the best option. Sometimes we need that safety. At times our outside world is spinning so fast we need the safety and comfort that a “rut,” so to speak offers. In times like these, I lean into my rut and hold on tight until I feel it’s safe to venture out again. So, in short, ruts aren’t so bad, but there’s a lot to be said for exploring outside your pattern of daily activities too.
What has been your experience?
Where to you like to sit? Are you one to mix things up all the time? Some of the time? Or do you prefer to stay in your comfort zone? Is your life hectic enough without proactively venturing out for new things? Or do you actively seek out change?
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04 May 2021
I’ve been trying to get outside of my comfort zone a bit with blogging, and really stretch. It feels good to grow a bit. Great post!
Thank you Jennifer – blogging is a great way to get outside your comfort zone in so many ways!
I love this, I’m currently going through a possible career change, I’ve been thinking about it for a couple of months and I’m a little scared. This just boosted me up ????
I’m thrilled to hear that Aislinn – keep this article handy!! 🙂
I’ve always had difficulty stepping out from my comfort zone, it’s caused a lot of issue, but I’m trying to improve. I certainly have in some aspects. Like you say, sometimes I need that safety net, but when I do push myself to step out, I always feel good about it.
Good for you Adam! THere’s a time and place for it all and we all have to do it in our own time, when it’s right for us.
My life is fairly predictable as I have no drive to ever do anything and we are all creatures of habit, but my life still gets mixed up from time to time
I hear you Unwanted Life – we are all creatures of habit! We like our comfort zones, esp. in times of upheaval.
I tend to hang out firmly in my comfort zone, but I’m sure I’d benefit from stepping out and experiencing new things every once in a while!
Yes, you might just find you really enjoy a dip in a new pool. 🙂
Honestly tho sometimes staying in your comfort zone is the best but sometimes is isnt. Sometimes we really have to try our best to step out of our comfort zone and experience new things. Great post! Thank you for sharing ❤️
You are welcome Single Mom – glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for sharing your insights!
My daily life is very much a comfort zone but I like to switch it up and try new things where possible. It’s very mundane right now during lockdown with very little opportunity to try new things though x
Sophie
I completely agree Sophie – it’s a pretty challenging time to find ways to mix it up right now.
Love this! I’m definitely someone who tends to stay more in my comfort zone, but I’m trying to improve on exploring new things 🙂
Good for you Bella – hope you have some fun with it! 🙂
I have to push myself to get out of my comfort zone sometimes, but once I mix things up in my life, I really feel the benefits. xxx
That is awesome Ashley – the benefits really are there and it’s great that you experience them when you go outside your comfort zone. It’s very reinforcing!
I always prefer to mixing it up. Staying in comfort zone is a no no no to me.
How exciting Fadima!! Good for you!
I certainly like mix things up and I constantly looking to learn and do different things.
That’s fabulous Margarida!! Enjoy!!
This is such a great post. I must admit that I tend to stay in my comfort zone a lot but I do try to challenge myself to do something different each month too.
That is fabulous Kelly!! Enjoy!
Thought provoking post, I suppose I like to be a little different sometimes but equally, I like the security of what I know!
Em x
I’m with you – a time and place for each for me!
Love this post. Comfort zone is your safe place in which you feel like your normal self, but doing something out of your comfort zone requires a lot of confidence. We have to do something to challenge ourselves in order to boost our inner confidence. Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely agree!! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I would say I like mixing it up. I love my comfort zone but I also like to open myself up for new adventures or new things sometimes. It’s a good balance to keep.
Definitely Liz – I think a balance that works for each person is key!
Love it! I think at home, I like the comfort zone and the stability. I find it comforting to have that with my partner. But pretty much all other aspects of my life I actively seek variety and adventure. I love to try new things, go new places, learn new skills, eat new foods.
That is fabulous Clarissa – how fun!!