Author: vauthiec

For some people, even doing something as small as trying a new restaurant can feel like leaving their comfort zone. If that person is you, read my blog about 7 simple ways to leave your comfort zone. For those that are ready to break out of the comfort zone on a larger scale, this blog is for you.

Photo by Tom Fisk

1. Go Sky Diving

The idea of sky diving for some is enough to freak them out. For others, going sky diving can be just the thing you need to begin your journey of leaving your comfort zone.

2. Go on a Date

For most, the idea of going on a date with a stranger seems stressful and nerve-racking. However it can be a great opportunity to improve your conversational skills and maybe even meet someone great! Unfortunately I do not have any tips on how to find a date.

3. Record yourself trying a new dance and post it on social media

It can be embarrassing and uncomfortable to record yourself trying something new, but going a step further and posting it online might really take you out of your comfort zone.

4. Take a class in something you suck at

Some people are afraid to fail, and therefore aren’t willing to try something new. However doing this might allow you to develop a fun new hobby or skill

5. Get on Stage

A large percent of the population has some sort of fear of public speaking. Try conquering this fear and develop a rare skill of public speaking.

Get to know yourself first

This is just a small list on ways to leave your comfort zone. However, you first need to get to know yourself before beginning this journey. If some of these activities would be so stressful to the point where it puts you in your stress zone then it is ok to avoid. Try something different or maybe something smaller so that you can work your way up to some of the more extreme activities.

When I used to hear people tell me to leave my comfort zone I used to think they were crazy. My comfort zone is safe and happy, so why the heck would I actively try and make myself uncomfortable? Turns out, your comfort zone may not be as good for you as I thought.

In this post I am going debunk some of the misconceptions about your comfort zone.

Photo by Lisa

Myth #1: Leaving your comfort zone is bad for you

Leaving your comfort zone from time to time will allow you to grow as a person. Just like how muscles need stress to grow, your mind needs stress to grow as well.

Myth #2: Your comfort zone will keep you from getting hurt

Leaving your comfort zone can prepare you the unexpected, which will make it easier to deal with the inevitable hardships ahead

Myth #3: My comfort zone is where I’m in control

In life, whether you are in your comfort zone or working to get out of your comfort zone, you are never fully in control. Leaving your comfort zone will train you to deal with the unexpectedness of life.

Myth #4: I am the happiest when I am in my comfort zone.

People often confuse being comfortable with being happy. You can’t truly by your happiest self if you are not growing and achieving, and those things can only be accomplished outside of your comfort zone.

Myth #5: Stepping out of my comfort zone will guarantee success.

Success is never guaranteed. Just simply stepping out of your comfort zone will not be all it takes to succeed. However, consistently practicing stepping out of your comfort zone will allow you to set building blocks towards success.

Myth #6: You must face your worst fears in order to be happy.

Stepping out of your comfort zone doesn’t mean jump into the scariest situation you can get yourself in. Leaving your comfort zone can be as easy as smiling at a stranger or trying a totally new recipe. It is the small wins in life that will snowball into larger wins later on.

Myth #7: Your comfort is your worst enemy.

While most of my blogs are about why you need to practice stepping outside of your comfort zone, it is important that your comfort zone can sometimes be positive. For example, it is nice to be in your comfort zone when you are driving a car or when you are going to bed. It is also fantastic to surround yourself with people that you love and that make you feel comfortable. The importance comes in knowing when to be comfortable and when to step out of your comfort zone and into your growth zone.

We’ve all heard it plenty of time now that it is important to leave your comfort zone. However, is it possible to over do it? It is believed that you want to leave your comfort zone just enough to be in the Growth Zone but not too much to where you reach the Stress Zone.

The Stress Zone: What is it?

The Stress Zone can be reached when you push yourself too hard too quickly. Imagine a scenario where somebody hates public speaking. Them not public speaking would be considered them being in the comfort zone. Now imagine they want to try and get out of their comfort zone and become better at public speaking. This is where it would be recommended that they try something small, like taking a public speaking class or even as small as creating a presentation to give to ten of their friends. This would be considered the growth zone. Imagine that instead of trying those small things first, they go to a conference and speak infront of 800 people. For somebody that hates public speaking, that could be too much for them and would put them in the Stress Zone.

The Stress Zone is something that you want to avoid because it will not promote growth. While in the Stress Zone you will be overwhelmed, overly stressed out, and anxious. Under these conditions it is almost impossible to reap the benefits that being in the growth zone can give you.

So, what is the Growth Zone and how can you take advantage of it?

The Growth Zone is that zone between your Comfort Zone and your Stress Zone. This is the zone where you pursue new life goals and develop plans of action to push yourself. While this zone shouldn’t be as intense as as the Stress Zone, you do still need to experience some stress and failure. However, with this stress and failure will come growth and accomplishments.

To read more on why it is important to leave your Comfort Zone and reach your Growth Zone read my post about Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

We have all heard about the importance of leaving your comfort zone. Unfortunately for most people it is easier said than done. That is why this post will contain 7 easy things to do to get out of your comfort zone. These things can help build confidence and aid as building blocks in your journey in trying to push through your fears.

Photo by cottonbro studio

1. Change your routine

Humans are creatures of habit. Everybody loves to get in a routine and stick with it. Try changing up that routine so that you can get a little more comfortable with being uncomfortable.

2. Try a new restaurant

It can be tempting to go to the same old couple of restaurants every time you go out to eat. After all, you know what your’e getting, and you know it will be good enough. Next time you go out, try a restaurant you have never been to. You might just discover your new favorite dish.

3. Try a new workout

It can be easy to get in a workout routine you are comfortable with and just stick with. Next you go to the gym, try an exercise you’ve never done. It may just become your new favorite workout.

4. Fail at something new

Try and do something you have never done before. Whether that be taking dancing lessons or trying a new hobby. Failing can feel uncomfortable to some, but failure is the first step to success.

5. Meet somebody new

Try striking up a conversation with that coworker you never talk to or with the person in the line behind you at the grocery store. You never know, they could become your new best friend.

6. Try cooking a new recipe

If you’re anything like me, you probably make the same foods every week. Try making something this week that may be a little more difficult than your regular recipes. You may accidentally find a new comfort recipe.

7. Try a new hairstyle

Most of us shy away from trying a new hairstyle or a new outfit because they are worried of what others may think. Truth is, everybody is so worried about how they look they don’t have time to judge your new look. Trying out a new look can be just the confidence boost you were looking for.

Why imposter syndrome may be holding you back from what you deserve.

Photo by JESSICA TICOZZELLI

What is Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome is a psychological term used for people that constantly feel like imposters in their everyday life. Whether it be at home, at work, or with friends, they constantly feel like they don’t belong in those environments. Even if they have a lot of friends or have accomplished great things, they may feel like they don’t deserve their situation or they are not worthy of it. This feeling can be triggered when somebody with this syndrome makes a mistake. It can also seemingly appear out of nowhere.

It is believed that about 30% of people are seriously impacted by this syndrome. Additionally close to 80% of people will experience feelings of impostorism at least once in their life.

The mindset of Imposter Syndrome

Why would somebody with a life that many view as successful have Imposter Syndrome? Well, people with Imposter Syndrome usually attribute their successes to external factors, rather than giving themselves credit. They blame their success on things like luck or effort they can not consistently give, or they credit the people around them who may have helped them.

Why do people develop Imposter Syndrome

While no official cause of Imposter Syndrome has been discovered, there are educated theories of the cause of this syndrome.

Family dynamics: Receiving criticism as a child can cause people to experience Imposter Syndrome when they are older. A lack of support or unfair expectations being put on them by their family can have the same result.

Perfectionism: People who suffer from perfectionism seem to never think anything is good enough. This ties into Imposter Syndrome because if people don’t think their work is good enough then they may not think they belong.

Mental Factors: People with mental factors like anxiety and low self-esteem may be more likely to doubt their achievements and feel like imposters.

Ways to Combat Imposter Syndrome

Recognize your successes: Taking a minute to recognize your past accomplishments can remind you you are capable of great things.

Embrace failure: Realize that it is ok if not everything you do is done perfectly. Even though you fail sometimes it does not mean you do not belong.

Reframe your thinking: When you feel feelings of self doubt start to creep in, try and reframe those thoughts into positive self affirmation thoughts instead.

As always, if you are struggling with Imposter Syndrome it may be a good idea to consult with a health care professional.

There seems to be a phobia for just about anything, but have you ever wondered where those phobias stem from?

Photo by Markus Winkler

6 interesting phobias, along with their origin stories

1. Arachibutyrophobia: The fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth

Arachibutyrophobia is the fear of peanut butter sticking to the roof of your mouth. This fear is usually attributed to being afriad of sticky things or having a fear of choking. It can also stem from having peanut allergies or witnessing a traumatic situation regarding peanut butter.

2. Turophobia: The fear of cheese

Turophobia is the irrational fear of cheese. This has an arch nemesis called “turophile” which is the name for someone who is a cheese connoisseur. Turophobia can stem from someone having a past negative experience with cheese or dairy or witnessing somebody else have a negative experience with cheese.

3. Somniphobia: The fear of sleep

Somniphobia is the fear of sleep. This phobia is especially impactful because, unlike most others, people can’t avoid it—sleep is an essential part of life. It often stems from other nighttime disorders like sleepwalking, night terrors, or sleep paralysis.

4. Xanthophobia: The fear of the color yellow

Xanthopohbia is the fear of the color yellow and is within the chromophobia familiy, which is the fear of colors. There are also names for having fears of each particular color in the rainbow. The cause of this phobia can sometimes be attributed to the sun, with someone having a severely negative experience while also being exposed to the sun.

5. Arithmophobia: The fear of math

Arithmophobia is the intense fear of mathematics or numbers. This phobia isn’t necessarily about being afraid of seeing numbers but is more about the intense anxiety someone may feel while being in a situation where they must solve a math problem. This fear can most commonly develop from someone having a very negative experience with trying to solve math problems in the past.

6. Ergophobia: The fear of going to work

Ergophobia is the intense and irrational fear of going to work. Most people would argue that they have they fear of going to work, but this phobia brings the anxieties of work to new heights. This phobia most likely stems from an unfortunate experience at work.

Have you ever experienced any interesting phobias?

There is such a harsh stigma behind eating alone in a restaurant, but there shouldn’t be. Here’s why.

Photo by Electra Studio

Why are people afraid of eating alone?

I include myself with these people because to me, eating alone in a crowded restaurant sounds terrifying. Right from the beginning, having to tell the host or hostess that I need a table for one sounds awkward enough. Now I have to sit at a table, by myself, while everyone else around has somebody to talk to.

So? Who cares?

I think many of us believe that everyone else cares. That everyone is judging us and thinking we are losers. However do we, ourselves, actually care?

I know I don’t. In fact I feel like it can be relaxing and almost therapeutic to spend quality time with myself. I find that we can be our best friend or our greatest enemy.

“We suffer more in imagination that in reality”

Seneca

The people around us are barely paying attention to the fact that we are by ourselves. Even if they do notice, they will forget about it pretty quickly. Eating solo is much more about yourself than it is about anyone else around you. If you can stop telling yourself that it is a problem, then it won’t be a problem.

Luckily, the negative stigma of eating solo has seemed to decrease lately, with some cultures viewing eating by ourselves as empowering.

Solomangarephobia – the fear of eating alone

Apparently there is a name for everything. Solomangarephobia, which took me forever to spell correctly, is the phobia of eating alone. Not to be confused with Deipnophobia, which means you feel anxious when eating with others, or more specifically having to engage in dinner conversations with others.

Solomangarephobia doesn’t just include a phobia of eating alone in public, but also includes the fear of eating alone at home as well. People with this phobia may believe that eating alone can cause mental and physical health issues.

Photo by Alex P

How to be more comfortable eating by yourself

Try eating somewhere less busy: If eating solo in a restaurant is too much for you, try eating somewhere that isn’t so crowded. Less eyes on you me make you feel less anxious.

Bring a distraction: Watching something on your phone or reading a book may distract you from the fact that you are eating alone.

Rewire your thoughts: The biggest way to get over your fear of eating alone is to change how you view. Many people love eating solo because they think of it as a positive experience instead of thinking about all the negatives of eating alone.

Let me Know: Do you enjoy eating alone?

The complex psychology behind why people like or dislike scary movies, along with some tips on how to overcome your fears of scary movies.

Why Would somebody WANT to be scared

I have never understand why somebody would voluntarily want to watch a truly scary movie. When I say scary movie I’m not talking about “The Walking Dead” or “Jaws”, I’m talking about true horror, like “The Exorcist” or “The Conjuring”.

To me, horror movies are just two hours of me being uncomfortable and wishing the movie would end. However, there are plenty of people that would disagree with my negative outlook on horror films.

Psychology Explains: Horror Lovers

The first reason people like horror films is because people seek stimulants. We are constantly stimulated during our everyday life, whether it be from music, social media, or talking with you friends. Horror films offer those same stimulations that humans are always seeking. Those stimulations can be caused from a jump scare or from the anticipation of something bad happening. This is the same as when people seek a thrill from a roller coaster or from skydiving.

Before you are able to really enjoy a scary movie, researchers suggest you must possess a “protective frame”. A protective frame consists of three categories. First, we need to understand that we are safe. While there may be scary things happening in the movie, those scary things are not actually happening to us and it is all fake. Second we need to be able to detach ourselves from the characters in the movie. If characters in the movie are having a tough time, we need to be able to realize that they are just actors and are not actually experiencing these horrors in real life. Lastly, you need a sense of control. If you are able to watch horror movies and tell yourself that you would be able to manage this situation if it was happening in real life, you will feel much more comfortable watching it all unfold on screen.

An absence of any of these three characteristics may cause someone to view a scary movie as unsettling.

How to Overcome your Fear of Scary Movies

There are many ways that you can overcome your fear of scary movies.

1. Gradually ease into them
   • Try easing your way into scary movies by watching something less scary first, and then slowly watching scarier movies over time.
2. Take breaks during the movie
   • If the movie is too scary for you, trying taking breaks throughout the movie so you can give yourself time to breath and take a break.
3. Watch it with a friend
   • Watching a scary movie alone can make it even tougher to get through. Knowing somebody else is going through the same thing with you may make it easier to get through.
4. Other options
   • There are plenty of other options too, like watching the movie during the day with lights on or reading a summary of the movie before you watch it.

Why stepping out of your comfort zone will benefit you

Truth is, everybody likes being comfortable

And whats so bad with that? After all being comfortable should be the goal right?

Yes, but also no. Let me explain.

Being comfortable is holding you back

They say the worst thing you can be is comfortable because being comfortable is holding you back from reaching a bigger level of happiness.

Think of it like a job. If you are really unhappy in your job, you are going look for a new one. If you are really happy in your job then you’re all set!

But what if you’re neither. Not unhappy enough to quit, but you also don’t particularly LOVE your job either. You’re just… comfortable.

Most people want to stay where they are comfortable, but imagine how much happier they would be if they had that job that they loved rather than just tolerated. This example can be used in almost every facet of life.

Not everything needs changed

Sometimes being comfortable is good. You want to be comfortable when you are laying in bed or driving your car. But breaking out of bad habits or pushing your self to pursue better things is never a bad idea.

Why you may benefit from leaving your comfort zone

1. You can live your true authentic self

Sometimes peoples reasons for not leaving their comfort zone is because they are worried about what other people might think. However, getting out of that mindset and being your true self will make you happier in the long run.

2. You can learn more about yourself

Getting out of your comfort zone can be as simple as trying something new for the first time. Even something as simple as listening to a new genre of music or trying a new recipe can teach you interesting things about yourself.

3. You can overcome fears and accomplish things you never knew were possible

Most of the time when people do not leave their comfort zone it is because they are scared. Whether they are scared of failure or scared it won’t be what they are expecting. However, learning to leave your comfort zone can allow you to overcome your fears and do things you never thought you could accomplish.