Over the past few years I, like most Millennials, have been in a pivotal developmental stage of my life. These changes were important, but they also felt overwhelming and new. This time has forced me to develop my own identity and become an adult who can primarily rely on herself.
Most importantly, though, these changes have pushed me out of my comfort zone.
If you’d told me ten years ago that I’d accomplish all that I have today, I would have panicked about how overwhelming it all sounded. Now, I don’t even think about how scary it seemed; I just think about how I thrived.
Pushing myself out of my comfort zone taught me that I’m more capable than I had ever thought.
I traveled to a new city alone and visited the love of my life. I’ve learned how to mend my heart after a failed relationship left me heartbroken. I found a new career path after I graduated college and again after a company laid me off two years later. I overcame my anxiety and started shopping in public on my own. Even though my anxiety made it difficult, I rekindled and strengthened my friendships after life carried my friends and I in different directions. I also faced my fear of driving and finally earned my license. Finally, I started a weight loss journey that I’m still working on (because I just love McDonalds, OK?) It’s insane to consider all that happened in my life within 2 years!
Before this stage of life, I would only tackle one new thing at a time and overthink and hesitate beforehand. I’m the world’s biggest worrywart, so, I worried about outcomes, I worried about the difficulties I might encounter, and I worried how I would handle myself. I let my fear hold me back from so many new experiences, but I won’t anymore.
Breaking out of your comfort zone helps you discover a lot about yourself.
Sure, you always know what your interests are, but you don’t truly learn who you are until you start doing the things that make you feel uncomfortable. When you break out of your comfort zone, you discover your true passions, abilities, and willpower. Breaking free from the box you’re living in also strengthens your problem-solving skills, which helps you make important decisions with less hesitation.
In every new situation, you will have moments that will leave you feeling defeated. There will be times when you discover that some things just aren’t for you. But that’s OK! As long as you choose to make the most out of life and take leaps, you’ll live life with less fear and more happiness.
Will Smith recently appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres Show and discussed the significance of his bungee-jumping experience. He made a promise to himself to do the things that made him feel uncomfortable because he was tired of missing out. He recognized that his fear of the unknown and his desire to remain in his comfort zone were holding him back.
I couldn’t agree more! We must challenge ourselves so we can grow. When we stay in our comfort zones, we miss out on adventures and live with regrets. When we break free, we feel confident and satisfied. Who wouldn’t want that?
If you’re struggling to break out of your comfort zone, try something small, like making friends online. You never know what you can achieve until you push your limits and try. I’m thankful for all the experiences life has thrown my way these past two years because I wouldn’t be who I am without them. So to live your best life, break free and find yourself.
Feature Image via Unsplash
