Many people (myself included) tend to stick to their daily routines and rarely venture outside of their security zone. This could be because you are afraid of embarrassment, failure, or possibly just uncomfortable with trying something that is unfamiliar. I have been guilty of not going out of my comfort zone for all of these reasons, and I’m sure I’m not the only one. It’s actually quite common for people to stick to what they know and are comfortable in, but it is so much more important that we push ourselves to try new things in order to live life to it’s full potential.

1. You can grow as a person.

This is probably the most important reason for going outside of your comfort zone. You never know what you will experience if you never explore what’s out there. Almost all of my greatest memories have come from times when I was scared of trying something, but did it anyway. By overcoming my fears and being okay with unfamiliarity, I learned that things usually aren't as bad as you build them up to be. I have learned many life lessons and grown as an individual once I started putting myself out there and saying “yes” to new opportunities that have come my way.

2. Learn new things.

As the saying goes, “Don’t knock it until you try it.” In order to gain the most out of everything this life has to offer, you are going to have to continuously learn as you go. I don't know a single successful person who says that they already know every single thing, and that they don't need to branch out because they are already an expert on whatever the topic may be. Instead, their advice is always to continuously be curious and ask questions, being uncomfortable is only an opportunity to learn and become more knowledgeable. You also gain experience this way, and can offer meaningful advice to others around you.

3. More spontaneity!

Okay, I must admit that sometimes it just seems so much easier to stick to what you know. Whether that be a job, friends, or a relationship. I’m not saying that this is a bad thing at all, but I think it is also important for us to be more spontaneous in our lives. since I am in college, I often struggle with this aspect of going outside of my comfort zone. I will often times be studying in the library, when a group of friends will come over and ask me to go try a new workout class or eat at a new restaurant that just opened up. My initial response is to say no, that I need to keep studying and stay where I am most comfortable. But this year I have started saying “yes” to this offerings more and more, and it has proven to be the most beneficial opportunity to build strong relationships and also to take a break from the hectic routine of school.

4. Meet new people.

Breaking outside of your comfort zone means you will get to meet so many new and amazing people. Often times we find our core group of friends, and tend to invest all of our time into those relationships. While I support that 100%, I think that life is too short to not meet as many inspiring people as possible. By going outside of your comfort zone and just introducing yourself to someone, you are already opening up the door to a possible lifelong friendship. This is also an important aspect in the professional world as well, because in order to network and reach new clients, you are going to have to overcome some uncomfortable situations.

5. Challenge yourself.

By trying new things and breaking out of your safety net, you are challenging yourself to be the best possible version of you. Nobody wants to go through life by playing it safe and being “comfortable” with everything. You won’t remember these parts of your life, but you will remember those times where you were spontaneous and drove across four states with your friends just for a weekend getaway. Or that time when you tried sushi for the first time and felt terrified, but now you are completely obsessed (guilty…). Breaking out of your comfort zone allows you to grow as an individual, and also teaches you to appreciate the things that we cannot control. You feel a sense of freedom and acceptance when you learn to live in the moment, and that has been the most beneficial thing I have gained from learning to live (mostly) outside of my comfort zone.