It is human nature to want to be comfortable.
You love routine and crave a set time for the same tasks every day around the same people without fail. Your daily schedule could be as hectic as possible, but it’s all you know, so to you it is still a comfort zone. The job you have, the friends you have, the habits you create, they could all be toxic, and you still feel comfortable with it because they become your lifestyle. Anything new or different, no matter how great or healthy it is, will be terrifying to you.
Your brain is designed to keep you in the situation you are in.
Any deviation from your version of normal will make you feel anxiety. The simplest task done in an unfamiliar environment can be excruciating and even debilitating for some. However, once you have done it, and gotten it over with, it becomes easier. It even becomes your new comfort zone after you have done it several times.
So why is it so important to do things outside of your comfort zone?
You cannot learn and grow if you do the same things day in and day out for your entire life. Learning a new skill can boost your mood, and learning new information keeps your brain young and sharp. You can gain self-confidence and empowerment when you do something that you are afraid of trying. Most important you can set an example for those around you who look up to you.
It doesn’t have to be something super scary. You can start as small as you want. Like, trying a new recipe or type of food you have never eaten before. Shake things up a little in your life to keep it fresh and fun. You could always include a partner or a friend.
