“Life always begins with one step outside of your comfort zone.”
― Shannon L. Alder
How many of us have been guilty of passing up opportunities because they felt too uncomfortable to achieve? As a person who suffers from Imposter Syndrome from time to time, I understand. It’s easy to make excuses and convince yourself that these excuses are valid. However, what many people don’t realize in these moments of self-doubt is that excuses are the enemies of growth. The ability to take risks by stepping out of your comfort zone is vital to grow, both personally and professionally.
Comfort zones are never really about comfort, but about fear. Fear serves as the foundation of a comfort zone and can be crippling if you are not self-aware. Fear creates the illusion of a safety blanket. Nice, fuzzy, warm… HEAVY. Heavy is what it really is, and it weighs you down.
I am here to tell you that the real magic happens outside of your comfort zone.
Once upon a time, I wouldn’t dare share my writing publicly. I have loved writing since the age of 11 but did not publicly share my writing until I was 29 years old!
After creating my blog, I reached out to a local online magazine in hopes of snagging a guest column spot, in which I did. During this time, I was also in the process of leaving a job that negatively impacted my mental health. On my last day at that job, I received an offer from the company I work with now. Somehow, they found the article I released with the online magazine and asked if I would present it at the company retreat in France. The topic was a personal testimony of learning how to step outside my own comfort zone. Fast forward to the retreat and my presentation received a standing ovation with not a dry eye in the room!
So how can you step out of your comfort zone? Here are five tips I have learned ( and still learning) on the path to finding my own courage:
1. ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR HEART AND INTUITION.
Not every decision you make must be logical. Do you tend to overthink and psych yourself out? If you do, just stop. Don’t listen to what your brain is saying in that moment. Be mindful and search deep in your heart. What do you feel in your gut? If your heart and intuition are pleading with you to at least try, please do yourself some service. You deserve it.
2. TAKE ACTION.
You can be afraid AND brave. I promise, it’s allowed! And it won’t take away your credit of courage either. If you have a desire to do something, but you are afraid, do it anyway. I can assure you that it may end up being the best decision you’ve made. Of course, if it’s with the best intentions.
3. BABY STEPS.
It is perfectly fine to ease yourself out of your comfort zone. Want to get into professional photography but don’t know where to start? Start with a camera! Watch tutorials, practice with loved ones, study styles and creative ideas. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. We all have a starting point. This step helped me tremendously. Sometimes, all you need to do is take that first step of initiative and the rest will fall into place.
4. GET COMFORTABLE WITH BEING UNCOMFORTABLE.
To open more doors, you must expand your horizons. Naturally, this is going to feel uncomfortable. It’s unfamiliar, unknown, and very different to what you may be accustomed to. Embrace the anxiety and doubts. Expect the overwhelming urge to run away from it. But whatever you do, stick it out through all the discomforts. You made the decision to step out of your comfort zone for a reason. Consistency is key.
5. ENJOY THE PROCESS.
Honestly, it’s going to be one hell of a ride, so you might as well have fun while doing it! Don’t take yourself too seriously. Know that you will make mistakes. There will be trial and error, indefinitely. Don’t expect fruits without labor. But most importantly, be patient. It is all a learning process. Be present in the moment and enjoy the small victories. The process reveals more about yourself than you may have ever known.
Hope my mini pep talk has you pumped and ready to take over the world. If you have allowed fear to control your decisions, please make a conscious effort to stop. You are not only capable but worthy of going after whatever sparks happiness in your heart. If you started taking small steps out of your comfort zone, continue to push the envelope. Invent, reinvent. Stand in your power and know that there is no limit to what you can do. Be great and celebrate yourself!
What are some ways you have stepped out of your comfort zone? Is there anything currently holding you back? Please let me know in the comments! I would love to hear from you.
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Ang Meets Soul 
“Fear creates the illusion of a safety blanket.” I love this sentence, it is so true! Progress and growth come when we get outside of our comfort zone. The more you practice easier it is to get over that initial fear.
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Exactly! Thank you for reading and commenting!
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Good tips to step out of your comfort zone. Stepping out of comfort zone gives wonders. It makes you realise that you’re stronger than you think.
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We often think we are not capable enough but we are. Thank you for reading and commenting!
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In my late teens and early 20s, I embraced stepping out of my comfort zone and everything being random and chaotic. Nowadays I’ve become too comfortable with my comfort zone, and I’m well aware of that. But I think I’ve started to push myself a little more to leave that sense of comfort. Hopefully, I’ll do that more and more as time goes on
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The first step is being aware! I was the same way in my 20s and as I got older, I became more fearful. It’s not always easy but I’ve been actively working towards becoming more comfortable with being uncomfortable. Thank you for reading and commenting!
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Wonderful tips! It was lovely reading your story and experience. Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable will lead us to so many new and beautiful experiences in life. While it can be hard, it’s 100% worth it!
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Completely agree! Thank you for reading and commenting!
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SUch great tips! I have always struggled to step out of my comfort zone and would always turn down anything that fell outside of it. Baby steps are what it’s all about and really resonate when you say it doesn’t need to be all or nothing, I really need to understand that! x
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I’m glad you were able to take something from this post! It definitely does not have to be all or nothing. Thank you for reading and commenting. xx
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Amazing tips! I think taking baby steps is so important for getting used to stepping outside of your comfort zone – it’s key to making progress! I love that you said you can be afraid and brave at the same time too, I think that’s something really important to remember. Thank you so much for sharing your story x
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I constantly have to remind myself that being afraid and brave at the same time is perfectly acceptable. Thank you for reading and commenting. xx
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What a lovely post, Angie! Definitely needed this right now. In fact I already wrote on blogpost about this topic which is scheduled to go live very soon! It was great to read different point of views regarding this post. I think I need to listen my heart and intuition more. I also love this quote you shared: ”“Life always begins with one step outside of your comfort zone.” I need to remind this! ❤ Penny / http://www.whatdidshetype.com
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Can’t wait to read your post once it is released! Thank you for reading and commenting! xx
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Amazing post. I am trying to step out of your comfort zone more now. I totally agree with taking baby steps. Thank you for sharing the other tips. I will give them a go.
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Thank you for reading and commenting!
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This is inspirational! Thank you for sharing, Angie 🙂
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Thank you for reading and commenting!
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You are welcome! 🙂
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Baby steps! That’s pretty much my go to for getting out of my comfort zone. I know that personally I cannot go too crazy when something is a little “out there.” Generally speaking, I’m antisocial yet bubbly person. An oxymoron in a way – I know! But I truly just enjoy being home with my books. Getting out there with people is sometimes such a struggle, but with baby steps…it’s a lot easier!
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I completely understand this! I am the same way. I always have to mentally prepare myself to go to a social event but the hardest step is actually getting there! Once I’m there, I embrace it. Thank you for reading and commenting!
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Great post! Stepping out of one’s comfort zone is a really hard thing to do, and I struggle with it all the time because I tend to get a little too comfortable and need to push myself a lot to try new things. These are some really useful tips, I’ll have to try them out. Thanks for sharing!
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Hope these tips work for you! Thank you for reading and commenting!
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“Comfort zones are never really about comfort, but about fear.” This resonated. It’s a mental wall stopping us from achieving our dreams. Good one. Thanks for sharing. xx
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting! Xx
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Comfort zones are all about what we are used to. It might be a situation which is the worst possible for us but we keep on staying there just because we are used to it. As you said it all has to do with fear. The fear of the unknown.
I loved reading about your experience. It is really inspiring!
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
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You’ve shared some great tips on how to step outside your comfort zone, something i don’t do very often. I’m defiantly someone who worries alot about doing certain things if they aren’t within my comfort zone and it’s something I’m really working on to change. I really appreciate this post lovely, it’s great. Thank you so much for sharing with us Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting, Elle’ xx
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I definitely take baby steps when it comes to stepping outside my comfort zone. I like to break it down and just concentrate on one step at a time.
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It’s the best way to do it! Thank you for reading and commenting!
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These are all such great tips for stepping out of your comfort zone. I don’t often like to do so, but sometimes it is necessary for sure!
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Absolutely! Thank you for reading and commenting!
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Beautiful post. Right now, I’m in the process of getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Taking baby steps has definitely helped me with any new endeavor I take on.
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