A heterodox definition of what the comfort zone means
You’ve heard of the comfort zone, right? The term is all the rage. It’s even a buzzword on social media. Along with resilience, emotional eating, or toxic people, it has entered our daily vocabulary. And it seems like it's here to stay. As is common when a new (or not so new) concept takes hold in our lives, it is sometimes used incorrectly. Because the comfort zone, contrary to what the term might suggest, does not indicate comfort or a state of being so completely at ease that it seems we have reached nirvana. It points in a completely different direction. We must define the comfort zone as that space (psychic or emotional) in which you find yourself and do not dare to move or change for various reasons. It is the place where you have become sedentary and it prevents you from evolving—whether toward happiness, the achievement of your dreams, freedom, or maturity. The comfort zone ties you to customs, a space, and a way of seeing the world that does not allow you to change. It is understood that this change is for the better. The reasons you might find yourself stuck in this location are manifold. You may be gripped by fear, or paralyzed by laziness or procrastination—that is, leaving for tomorrow what you can do today. The last thing it means, therefore, is that you are at ease, well, or in harmony with your spirit. In the comfort zone, you can be suffering from terrible situations: from all kinds of emotional or physical abuse to unacceptable emotional states. If you are there, it is because it is what you know and you do not dare to change. The comfort zone is, to give examples from everyday life, what prevents you from following a diet to fight against overweight or obesity. It is what makes it impossible for you to leave a relationship that does not satisfy you (it doesn't even have to be toxic). It is what restricts you when it comes to achieving your dreams (usually out of fear). It is what whispers to you, asking why you would bother learning English at your age. It is what haunts you, saying it is not worth changing. Have you seen how dangerous the comfort zone can be? Simply put, it doesn't let you be happy.
Abandon your comfort zone now! Here are some ideas!
Needless to say, depending on the attachment you have to this location, it will be that much more difficult to get out of this true vicious circle. It is not the same for someone who has suffered a shock of any nature (but who is used to fighting for their goals) as it is for someone who abandons themselves to their fate. Don't do it! Life is too short to go through it like lumps dragged along on an airport conveyor belt. And the comfort zone is your greatest enemy. Can't you do it? Then, you have to start with a routine and impose it step by step until you take the final leap that gives you confidence in yourself. Write down these 10 ideas:1.- Define your goal clearly. What do you want to do? Leave a relationship that doesn't satisfy you? Find a job? Go to the gym every day? Learn that language you've been putting off since adolescence? Whatever it is, clearly define the goal in your mind.
2.- Write that goal clearly on different pieces of cardboard. Hey! Little yellow sticky notes don't count. Buy a large piece of cardboard and use calligraphy. Make it look good; the goal deserves it.
3.- Place those beautiful signs you've made in the places you frequent. Do you watch too much TV and that prevents you from doing something away from home? Do you visit the fridge too often? Do you lock yourself in the bathroom to ruminate on sadness? Well, put these reminders you’ve prepared right there.
4.- Get moving as soon as possible. It’s hard, and very much so, but it must be done. The first day fifteen minutes, the second the same, the third twenty minutes, the fourth half an hour, and the fifth and sixth. Don't skip too many days. Don't give yourself too much of a break. A break is the best friend of the comfort zone that prevents you from evolving.
5.- Be consistent. Consistency is the only secret of successful people. Neither luck nor talent can make up for a work routine in any sense. It is the path that leads directly to certain success.
6.- Ask for help when your strength falters. Make someone in your inner circle part of your goals and don't be embarrassed to express your weaknesses. Social media also works, but be careful! Don't be constantly complaining about your lack of willpower to get out of a comfort zone. You risk running out of friends (whether online or offline).
7.- If you feel weak, sign up for a support group. You can't imagine how many people with shared interests exist online! Don't be embarrassed.
8.- Take the leap. Don't be afraid. Just do it. When you feel strong, or on a sunny day, dare to leave that comfort zone that prevents your personal fulfillment.
9.- Don't turn back once you are on your way. If at any point you feel that you aren't advancing, think of it as a pause before the final push. Keep going. Come back here and reread this. You deserve it.
10.- At all times (at whatever point you find yourself), think that your life is yours and that you deserve to live it in the best way possible. Don't pay attention to the siren songs of people you know don't wish you well or who are acting out of self-interest. Listen to your heart. You know you've been in a comfort zone that prevented your progress. And I speak in the past tense because if you have made it this far, you have been able to achieve your goals in whole or in part. It is difficult, but the effort (for the results and the path achieved) is worth it.
How about preparing a move to leave your comfort zone?
And now I propose something totally novel: a full-blown change of scenery. In the vast majority of cases, people who are trapped in a comfort zone that causes them unhappiness are also linked to a specific location. It can be a particular house, a neighborhood, or a city. Sometimes, moving to another apartment or another area is much easier than it seems. It is simply a matter of considering it and carrying it out without fear, without haste, and with persistence. The change will be worth it for these reasons:1.- You will feel that you have left behind what was holding you back.
2.- It allows you to break out of your routine and shows you that you can do it. It will raise your self-esteem.
3.- It is an opportunity to leave behind those people who are in your life and contribute nothing.
4.- And what about new friendships? Perhaps there are people there who add value (in any sense) and don't subtract from your life.
5.- It forces you to get your brain moving. You have to find new places to shop, to walk, to have coffee.
6.- A new home is the best way to do some cleaning in the literal sense of the term. Give away, sell (it's very easy online), or recycle (in the appropriate bins) what no longer serves you.
7.- At the same time, it is a good exercise in introspection. Why don't you get some good moving boxes? You can find them online at a competitive price. Decorate them and keep in them what does contribute to your life. They can be photos, a school book, or a special suit. Think of it as your new life, but that doesn't mean you have to cut ties with everything positive.
8.- In this post, we give you some ideas for decorating your new home with cardboard boxes. You will feel that your life flows, that the past is there but that you are giving a new opportunity to your time in this world.
9.- Let the light enter your new house. Decorate to your taste. Illuminate with warmth and let the clarity filter through the windows. Whether it is a large or small space, flood it with color and joy. Don't overload it with useless things.
10.- Don't stay in your brand-new home. Go out into the street. Find new friends (use online apps). Talk to the neighbors. Let it be known that you live there. Reflect on your old comfort zone and turn your new home and new life into a work of art. This move will become the beginning of your new life.
Remember…A move made with tranquility, without haste, without fleeing, and with reflection is the best way to abandon that comfort zone where you don't feel happy.
Are you really moving? Calculate how many boxes you need.
