This Is Why The Comfort Zone Is Overrated

There’s a reason it’s called the comfort zone.

I know.

The problem is, nothing will change if you stay where you are. And, on the off chance that you’re completely, irrevocably, absolutely satisfied with your life, that’s fine. You can stop reading now.

I won’t blame you. I truly am happy to see you thrive and live your best life.

Travelling is one of the best ways to leave your comfort zone

But you’re not satisfied, are you? You wouldn’t be reading anymore if you were. You’re not living your best life.

Something has to change for you to truly feel like you’re getting the most out of life. And yes, I know that’s a tough pill to swallow.

But you have to realise that you want something to change before you can start working on it.

So. Let’s go through this process together. You and I. Starting right now, we’re going to make a change for the better.

I promise.

What are you talking about?

I’m sure everyone reading this is familiar with the concept, but just in case you’re not, here’s a quick explanation.

There are three psychological states. The comfort zone, the optimal performance zone and the danger zone. (Hello there, Kenny Loggins)

In the first zone, you feel familiar and comfortable and you’re in control. Your performance is steady.

In the second zone, also known as the growth zone, you can push your boundaries. Your performance is in an equilibrium with your anxiety and stress levels.

In the third zone, your performance suffers greatly, thanks to strong feelings of anxiety and discomfort.

Without stepping out of your comfort zone, you'll never know what your life could have looked like

Why people get stuck in the comfort zone

You need to aim for the optimal performance zone. Obviously.

But the thing is, when people first make an effort to push their boundaries and leave their comfort zone, they overcompensate.

They go too far and get right into the danger zone.

And then they end up never trying to do something different again.

You don’t want to end up like that.

Some people surpass themselves by travelling the world with anxiety. I don’t have much to say about anxiety, as I don’t have any first-hand experience. So I’ll let my friend Lauren from Never Ending Footsteps explain how she overcame anxiety by travelling.

When you’re trying to push your travel boundaries, it’s important to remember to take baby steps.

Otherwise, your leap of faith could turn to a leap in the dark. And that’s when you get dangerously close to the danger zone.

If you’re afraid of heights, jumping out of an airplane might give you the strength you need to conquer your fear. Or it might push you over the edge and make you never want to step foot into an airplane again.

Man standing near river in the wilderness

In the end, you know yourself better than anyone else ever could. You need to make the consideration whether or not it’s worth it to face your fears head-on.

It might be simpler than that. You might not feel comfortable in a situation where you don’t know the language and you have to get around.

My point is, I can’t make the decision for you. You have to choose for yourself: