We have all heard about how it’s good to be outside of your comfort zone. At the same time, we all secretly think “Cool, but I’d prefer to be comfortable. Hand me that TV remote.” It’s obvious better to brush your teeth with mint toothpaste than mayonnaise. Thus, when choosing between comfort and discomfort, comfort is preferred in most cases.
Why then so many people suggest getting outside of comfort? There must be something about it which potentially will benefit us.
Temporary Discomfort Increases Your Long-Term Comfort Zone.
Basically, the more discomfort you introduce into your life, the more your comfort zone will expand. This is much valuable than any cozy night on your bed.
So, the main point of seeking discomfort is expanding your comfort zone. By doing that, you’ll be more comfortable in more situations. Strangely, those who are the least comfortable now, have the best chance to be the most comfortable later. Even better, the comfort zone expansion you gain from being uncomfortable can last a long time.
Things that exists outside of our comfort zone can provide some of the greatest and most exciting benefits to us.
Learn how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.
There are billions of opportunities out there, but those are exists in so many different situations, most of which are likely to involve discomfort. For instance, let’s sat I have the opportunity to travel for a year, but that means I will not be at home for whole year and that doesn’t sound comfortable tho.
But it’s important to consider attempting to seek discomfort when it feels safe. Because if step out of your comfort zone and immediately get hurt, it will be more difficult to do it again. If you handle your journey into discomfort careless, your current comfort zone will shrink and you are most likely start to avoid to expand it again.
So as a beginner, we better seek discomfort when there’s a clear benefit. Exercise is uncomfortable, but it improves our health and body. Travel is uncomfortable, but it provides confidence, knowledge, and new perspective. Cold shower is uncomfortable, but it brings increased discipline and even health benefits.
Generally, most of the benefits from discomfort ensures to make you stronger in many ways – physically, mentally, and emotionally. Thus, if you strategically expose yourself to difficulty, you will find it less difficult simply because that’s how our brains work.
If discomfort and pain affect us the same way every time, we would try to avoid them at all times. But since we get stronger from doing certain things, it’s our utmost interest to experience temporary discomfort for a long-term gain.
This applies to small things as well. I’m usually bring my laptop into my bed because it feels more cozy than sitting on the desk. But today, I decided against it and writing this article behind my desk. Surely it doesn’t feel as comfortable as laying on my bed but it’s good for my back.
In a nutshell, I dare you to seek discomfort and expand your comfort zone for your future self!
LIFE BEGINS AT THE END OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE!