Have you ever had a conversation with someone you just met, and a few minutes into it you have an overwhelming feeling that it’s going to change your life? That’s how I felt last week – I met a guy who was in town visiting from Australia, and he told me about a year that transformed his life. He and his friends decided that they would do one thing every month for a year that took them out of their comfort zone. Examples of these things included getting a tattoo, speed dating, taking a course in something they’d never considered taking…even doing a nude photo shoot!! The more he described what this experience felt like to him – doing things that he never imagined himself doing, but feeling so free and expansive and courageous afterwards – made me immediately decide that I, of course, had to do it too. (Thanks, David)! By the end of our talk my face actually hurt because I couldn’t stop smiling.
“Ohh, it’s so on,” I said.
Why get out of your comfort zone?
A lot of times, an old story is holding us back from being who we really want to be. Read about the time I got over my fear of needles. Having a story play itself over and over in our minds about why we can’t do something is very limiting. The changes we truly want to see in our lives won’t happen if we’re just chilling where we’re comfortable and doing the same things over and over.
Plus, think about it. How many cool, interesting people could you meet if you did things outside your normal routine? How incredible might you feel if you pushed your boundaries and did something courageous? What kind of old stories could you let go of? What kind of new possibilities might arise for you?
This quote goes along with comfort zone expansion perfectly:
“I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool – for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive…
Why do this at all? Why would we risk the unknown changes that this knowledge could bring into our lives? I risk it for the freedom, to see what is true, what I really want in the deepest part of myself.
Desire seeks to push the edge in the places we have drawn a line in the sand that says, “This is where I will not go, this is what I will not risk.” We are not offered guarantees. What we are offered is knowledge of life and ourselves — and if we are awake, glimpses of the wisdom held in the story our life is telling the world.” –Oriah
Bah! That’s so good! So here’s the deal. I am going to do as many things as I can throughout 2014 that get me out of my comfort zone. Will it be 1 thing per month? I don’t know, it may be more than that, I’m pretty excited about the whole idea. But either way I’ll definitely be blogging about it.
I’m calling this the “Comfort Zone Crusade.” It’s a crusade to EXPAND comfort zones. I’m not against comfort zones. They’re comfy. I totally love my comfort zone and I don’t want to eliminate it. I just want to expand it to make room for change and awakening and transformation. So when I say drop kick it, I mean…kick it into incredible expansion, like you’re illuminating the sky with a huge force field of possibilities. :)
As far as what I’ll do, I’ll decide based on my own comfort zone. For instance, the first thing I’m doing for January is signing up for a 6-week dance class. Why? Because dancing makes me feel totally awkward and embarrassed, but I’ve always secretly wished I could dance. So, for me, dancing = comfort zone expansion.
Everyone’s comfort zones and desires are different. For one person getting blood taken (like my needle story) may be a total “whatever” procedure, and for another it may feel like the most monumental thing ever. Only you know your own comfort zone.
It could be saying “no” to something or someone you’d normally say “yes” to…OR saying “yes” to something you’d normally say “no” to. It could be waking up an hour earlier to exercise when you’d rather stay in bed. It could be staying sober at an event you’d normally drink at. It could be telling someone you love how you really feel (ooh! do that!) It could be deciding to give up a vice that’s hurting your health. We can practice little comfort zone crusades every single day!!
What this is: doing things that scare you or take you out of your normal routine of what you’re comfortable with, but you you can see how doing these things will lead you to be more of the person you want to be – more open, more courageous, whatever it is. When you think about doing it, it makes you nervous but also a little excited.
What this isn’t: doing things that you would never in a million years care to do at all, and the thought or action of doing it actually makes you feel worse about life. (For instance, I would never force myself to eat something disgusting like live bugs just to get out of my comfort zone). So be cool about it peeps. It’s supposed to be fun.
Post about it on instagram and use the hashtag #comfortzonecrusade if you want me to check out what you’re up to. OMG! SO FUN.
“I’ve learned that being a fool will not kill me. Why, then, do we fear it so much?” –Oriah again
#COMFORTZONECRUSADE
#BEAFOOL
LET’S DO THIS 2014.
Who’s in? I want to hear how you’re going to get out of your comfort zone this year, and why. Leave a comment and tell me!!
Sarah says
I absolutely LOVE this!! I’m so in! I already have 2 things planned which are totally outside my comfort zone – excited to be able to share these experiences with others looking to expand themselves as well and work together to inspire each other. New Year’s Day I’m doing a polar plunge (I live in CT)- please note that even in the Summer I won’t even dip a toe in the water unless it’s at least 85 degrees and I absolutely hate being cold so this is HUGE! Secondly, I am going to Costa Rica first week in February for a yoga retreat- solo. First time ever doing International travel alone and I’m a bit nervous, but letting the excitement win that battle. Can’t wait to see what others post and to figure out other activities for 2014. Happy New Year Everyone!
jenny sansouci says
Sarah – that. is. AWESOME!!! I did a Polar Plunge in 2008 on Coney Island in NYC – it was so much fun. Insanely cold but so awesome and cleansing. Please let me know how it goes. :) Also, Costa Rica is the best, and traveling solo should be such a cool experience, especially for a yoga retreat. LOVE IT ALL! Good luck!
Sarah says
Thanks so much for the encouragement – photos will be posted to Instragram for sure! Xo
Caroline says
I am so in. Love this! Such a great way to keep the passion alive! One thing I am doing on my #comfortzonecrusade is reading a book about money! (Money: A Love Story by Kate Northrup). Money has always freaked me out, and I’ve avoided any sort of financial planning out of fear for my entire college career. I refuse to feed this fear any longer and though it is scary to get serious about finances, I’m only excited to kick those comfort zone bounds wayyyy beyond I ever dreamed possible. Thank you for this!! So excited to be joining you. Happy New Year!
jenny sansouci says
You’re awesome Caroline. I’m going to read that book this year too. Looking at money and finances can a weird comfort zone thing for me too. Thanks for sharing!! :)
Clarisa mompremier says
I know one thing I’m doing.. Speaking in public to girls and dudes. I’ve done coed audiences before but not intentionally knowing I will be speaking about personal development….I love this idea. I’m gonna try it because I like my comfort zones too much sometimes. This year I want to be a little adventurous without freaking myself out. Thanks for the inspiration.,
jenny sansouci says
Nice!!! Adventurous without freaking out. I like it.
Tricia says
Love it! I was in a spin class today thinking about writing a blog about doing things out of my comfort zone! This year I went to a bunch of different group fitness classes that I never had, and was of course a little afraid of. Will I like it? Will I be a mess? Will I be any good? Will I look like a jackass? I loved each one, but more so loved how I felt talking on something new!!!!
jenny sansouci says
So awesome!! I know, I’m so afraid of looking like a jackass, but it is actually kinda fun and exhilarating to look like a jackass and then just laugh. Let’s do something new together next time I’m in LA :)
Hadley Gustin says
Best blog you’ve written yet, Jenny! As you well know, recently, I decided to take a huge leap of faith outside my comfort zone by moving to New York without a set job or place to live. Now, five weeks later, I have the job of my dreams and am living in an amazing apartment in one of my favorite Manhattan neighborhoods. It’s thanks to people like you that I felt incredibly inspired to take this journey in the first place, and I’m so glad I did. When we get out of our comfort zones and really throw ourselves off the cliff so to speak, we experience rewards greater than our dreams could ever show us. I believe this concept now more than ever and can’t wait to partake in this challenge of yours for 2014! The more we get out of our comfort zones, the more we live. Cheers, and happy New Year!
jenny sansouci says
Thank you Hadley!!! Very happy for you and proud of you for everything you’ve manifested into your life. Very inspiring…
“When we really throw ourselves off the cliff we experience rewards greater than our dreams could ever show us.” LOVE THAT
RH says
Absolutely fantastic advice!
Matt says
I have already made a list long enough for a couple years. I started doing things out of my comfort zone last year without realizing exactly what I was doing. Like giving myself a year of sobriety, eating healthy and focusing on bettering my career. In that time I have seen positive leaps of change I previously saw as impossible. I love the idea of pushing it to do something every month and being more creative with it. I feel most of us will easily surpass 12. Here’s to a year breaking new boundaries. Thank you for posting! #comfortzonecrusade
jenny sansouci says
Awesome, Matt!! Thanks for the inspiration. Glad we’re on the same team. #letsdothis
Semara Simu Shahin says
I might be a little late in seeing this BUUUT at least I saw it anyways right? :)
But I wholeheartedly agree with the content of this post, and might I say that it certainly will go hand in hand with a 30 day “fear” challenge I’m doing, where I will spend 30 days doing one thing each day that frightens the living crap out of me. And this goes from as simple as asking a math question in class(I am scared to death of my Maths Lecturer) to as major as quitting refined and processed food altogether.
Nevertheless, the whole aim of it is to get out of my comfort zone more often :)
Ritu says
I am SO in! I need this more than ever now. Seriously. I’m committing.