We get it. After 3 months of Winter, life can become pretty mundane. You feel cold, wet, and trapped in the cycle of getting up, going to work, coming home, having dinner, TV, bed – repeat. Bleh. Lots of you will book holidays to escape this time of year, so much so that we’ve coined the infamous term “European Summer”. But what if you had a lifestyle that you didn’t need to escape from? Things that made you jump out of bed and get excited, without having to get on a plane and chase the sun to find happiness?
Here are 5 ways to bust out of the uninspiring comfort zone you have created, and change your perspective!
Become familiar with discomfort
Set yourself a goal to do one thing per day that makes you slightly uncomfortable. It might be something as simple as wearing a different colour or style, trying new food, complimenting a stranger, or going a different
way to work – maybe even walking or cycling part of the way to work if possible. When you do this, you will rewire your brain to become familiar with discomfort, and this in turn will help you to step out of your comfort zone more easily to do things you never thought you could.
Making these small simple changes will also help enrich your life with more interest and positivity. It might seem counter-intuitive but try to get into the habit of doing small things differently every now and then, to keep your brain and yourself happy with a change in routine. This will prevent that never-ending daily cycle slump.
Unplug
In today’s tech-driven society, we have become reliant on having instant access to information and social
networks. Think of how often you just ‘glance’ at Facebook or other apps; you’ll find that you are doing it without even realising it. When you are mindlessly performing a task with no goal, you are not present.
It can be uncomfortable to turn off, but disconnecting from your phone and internet can spark a true connection with others, and give you time to reflect.
Get physical
There’s a walk around the block, then there’s that feeling when you wake up the next day and your muscles are sore. We’re not talking crippling, can’t-get-out-of-bed type sore, but that slight discomfort which means that your body achieved something! Embrace this discomfort and know that it’s a sign your body is progressing and becoming stronger. Learn to love to challenge yourself.
Coach yourself
Ask yourself some questions: “What is the worst that could happen? Could I survive it? What’s the best that could happen? Are there downsides to staying where I am?”
This way of thinking trains your perspective and helps you realise that some of your fears and reservations are actually mostly unfounded.
Say yes more
Whether it’s an event you normally wouldn’t attend or a catch-up with people you don’t see very often, stop yourself before you decline and come up with an excuse as to why you’re too busy or tired. Say yes.
Some things are life changers and you just never know what chance encounter is around the corner! New experiences, however small, are wonderful ways to keep you engaged with the world and wanting more.
‘In theory, all you need to do is take the first step. It will be difficult. The first day at the gym is the worst. The opening line of our story takes the longest time. But as you gain momentum, it is easier to keep moving.’
– Deepak Mehta
Only when you are willing to be comfortable with being uncomfortable can change and growth really take place. Good things don’t happen to us because we want them to; they happen to us when we take action and are willing to step out of our comfort zones.
