Have you ever heard the expression “life begins at the end of your comfort zone”?

This is a phrase meant to motivate and inspire us to step out of our comfort zone and put ourselves in new situations and surroundings.

Okay so we just leave our comfort zone and amazing things start happening?

But how do we step out of our comfort zone especially when it’s so cozy and you know, comfortable?

And what exactly do they mean by “life begins”? What can we expect to happen when we leave our comfort zone?

We can expect to find a new world at our fingertips when we step beyond what is comfortable and familiar to us.

When we are no longer learning new things, trying new experiences, setting and achieving new goals, or meeting new people, we are stuck in our comfort zone.

It’s time to get unstuck.

Leaving our comfort zone can be intimidating and downright scary. But it’s worth it.

Read More: 49 Quotes to Inspire and Motivate You to Build Confidence

On the other side of that safe and cozy fence that’s keeping us locked in, we can find new passions, new friends, new things we couldn’t imagine living without, and we can build our confidence in ourselves.

There are several benefits for leaving our comfort zone. 

By challenging ourselves each time we step out of our normal realm we build our trust in ourselves and our confidence increases.

The best way to build confidence is to try new, challenging things and realize you can do it, and you did it! With each challenge you accomplish that’s another real-world piece of evidence to prove that you’re capable of overcoming obstacles and trying new things.

You’re capable of more than you realize, but you’ll never discover that if you stay inside your comfort zone.

Will it be pretty at first? Probably not. That’s just the truth. Many of us are not fantastic at something the first time we try it.

But that’s okay!

Confidence doesn’t come from doing something perfectly the first time. It comes from taking action instead of always sitting on the sidelines. It comes from trying even if you know it might not work out the first time.

Each time we put ourselves out there a little more and expand our comfort zone, even just the tiniest step we prove to ourselves that even if it didn’t go perfectly, we survived. And we’ll survive the next time we try and the next time. Until one day maybe we are doing it perfectly.

As your confidence builds each time you step out of your comfort zone, you will start to feel empowered to take on new, even bigger challenges because your belief in yourself has increased.

By stepping out of your comfort zone you will not only feel a sense of accomplishment, but also your self-esteem and confidence will increase.

These are amazing benefits!

But what are some real ways we can step out of our comfort zone and into our growth zone?

*If you want to gain more confidence in just one week, subscribe to my newsletter to receive your FREE copy of the 7-Day Confidence Building Workbook*

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Read More: 11 Books that Build More Confidence and Keep You Motivated to Reach Your Goals

Stepping out of your comfort zone doesn’t have to be anything huge or extravagant. Please don’t feel like you need to go to a new country, spend a ton of money or put yourself in danger or in a situation you would feel unsafe or scared in.

You always want to be mindful of your limits. You know yourself better than anyone. You know what your edge is.

While stepping out of your comfort zone is beneficial in so many ways, don’t feel the need to completely leap off the cliff’s edge.

I have personally tried all of these different ways to step out of my comfort zone. They worked for me, and I hope they work for you too! Just remember you got this!

Read More: Build Confidence this Summer by Challenging Yourself to Set One Fun, New Goal

Do you find yourself on autopilot most of the time on your way home from work or while driving to the grocery store?

Have you experienced those times when you suddenly find yourself in your driveway with no real memory of how you got there?

Most of us are so stuck in our normal routines we never take the opportunity to explore a new route.

But this is a great and super easy way to take that first little step out of your comfort zone.

By exploring a new path, you are opening yourself up to a new experience. Who knows what you’ll see on this new way home?!

Isn’t that exciting?

Sometimes even when I feel stuck in a rut, I’ll take a different way home than my usual route because it’s like a mini adventure. It instantly makes me a little more excited and in the present moment.

Being present in the moment is fantastic for building confidence because there’s no space for all that self-doubt talk. 

Just make sure you have enough gas in your car and your GPS is turned on, so you don’t get lost or stuck.

Put on some of your favorite music, roll your windows down, and explore your world.

This could mean changing the way you style your hair or your makeup or the normal clothes you wear.

It doesn’t have to be anything drastic.

Maybe instead of pulling your hair back today, you only pull half of it back.

Maybe instead of wearing no makeup you put on a little mascara. Or instead of doing a full face of makeup you just do a little blush and mascara.

Maybe you decide to go all the way and completely change your look! Just have fun with it!

Or how many of us have an outfit in our closet that we would love to wear, but we don’t feel confident enough to rock it? Pull that bad boy out and put it on!

Last year I was shopping with one of my friends. I went into the dressing room to try on a few things, but before I changed, I really looked at myself in the mirror. My outfit that I now felt so comfortable and confident in was an outfit I would have only dreamed about wearing just a few years earlier.

I smiled at my reflection in the mirror realizing how far I’d come.

I never would’ve felt cool enough to wear it before. Now I don’t even think twice when I put it on.

*If you want to gain more confidence in just one week, subscribe to my newsletter to receive your FREE copy of the 7-Day Confidence Building Workbook*

What’s something you’re curious about or interested in that you would like to learn more about?

A quick Google search can show you all the classes and workshops being offered in your area. Sign up for whichever looks interesting to you.

By learning something new you’re stepping out of your comfort zone. It can be challenging to learn something new, but by attending a workshop or class you’re showing yourself it’s possible to learn and grow.

 You are also opening yourself up to new experiences and people. You never know who you might meet! Or this one workshop could lead to you becoming completely passionate about it.

You’ll gain a sense of accomplishment and a confidence boost.

This one is for all my introverts. Maybe you don’t feel comfortable yet going to take a workshop in person, but you can still explore new interests by learning online.

Udemy is an online learning platform where they offer thousands of classes taught by professionals and experts in the field.

Udemy is a great way to learn about something that you’re curious about whether it’s photography, web design, writing, drawing, baking, or loads of other things. They have thousands of classes on there.

What I love about Udemy is that you don’t have to pay for a membership. You can just purchase the course you’re interested in.

I’m not tech-savvy at all but I wanted to learn more about certain programs so I could use them. I’ve taken several courses through Udemy on Procreate, Affinity Designer, and Adobe.

This boosted my confidence so much. I used to always just say I wasn’t tech savvy but now after being able to figure out all these programs, I am confident I can figure out almost any other program.

And if I can’t figure it out, I’ll take a course on it.

Read More: 11 Easy Creative Hobbies Women Can Start Today to Boost Their Confidence

Trying a new hobby is a great way to build confidence.

You’re trying something new and expanding your knowledge and possibly exploring a different side of yourself.

If you never thought you could be creative, but you decide to take up embroidery or diamond painting, you might realize you’re much more creative than you thought.

If you never thought you could build anything, but you decide to try to build a model car or one of those neat 3-D wood puzzles, you might realize you are capable of building something.

Hobbies are a low-stress, low-stakes way to step out of your comfort zone. There’s no pressure with a hobby. It’s just meant for enjoyment.

You don’t even have to show anyone what you build or create or try.

Visit your local craft store and check out my post on 11 creative hobbies to build confidence to get an idea of what hobby you might like to try.

Now that you’ve found a new hobby, join a club for it!

Instead of quietly loving your hobby on your own, join a club or group that revolves around it.

Joining groups or clubs is a big step out of your comfort zone, because you’re going to meet new people and be put in a different environment.

It can be daunting to meet new people, but by joining a club for something you’re already interested in, you can be confident in knowing you already have something in common with these new people.

You already have a conversation starter and mutual ground.

When I joined a cross-stitch group, one of the other women in the group and I decided to go out for coffee. While chatting we realized not only did we have a lot of other things in common, but it also seemed like our husbands did too.

Now her and her husband have become great friends that we see on a regular basis all because I joined a cross-stitch group.

*If you want to gain more confidence in just one week, subscribe to my newsletter to receive your FREE copy of the 7-Day Confidence Building Workbook*

For many of us, talking to new people feels way out of our comfort zone. That’s why this challenge is just about talking to one new person.

But you’re in charge of your limit. So, if you feel like you can handle striking up a conversation with three or five new people, go for it!

Starting a conversation with a stranger can be intimidating and that’s why this is such a great way to step out of your comfort zone and build your confidence.

By proving to yourself you can do it, and you can survive it, even if it doesn’t go perfectly, you will feel more confident the next time the opportunity to talk to someone new comes along.

Soon you’ll start feeling more comfortable in new social situations and you might even make a couple of new friends.

This is another big one for a lot of people. Many people are afraid of what others will think if they are alone.

I once talked to a guy who wouldn’t even go through the drive-thru by himself because he was afraid of being judged for being alone.

We shouldn’t be holding ourselves back from experiencing things just because we are afraid of what people might think if we show up by ourselves. You shouldn’t have to always wait for someone else to go with you.

Step outside of your comfort zone and build your confidence by going somewhere by yourself. Once you do it, you’ll realize it’s not that scary. And it’s perfectly normal and acceptable to do so.

 To be honest, most people are too concerned with their own lives to even notice if you’re with someone or not.

Take yourself out to lunch or see the movie you’ve been wanting to see.

Read More: 11 Fascinating and Real Ways Creative Hobbies Increase Self-Confidence

This is another area where people let their comfort zones trap them. Most of us don’t think we have the ability to go to a concert or festival or parade or whatever it may be by ourselves.

We’re holding ourselves back and making life less enjoyable by not going and doing the things we want to do just because nobody wants to come with us.

Once you go by yourself, just like taking yourself out to lunch or to the movies, you’ll realize it’s not that scary and it’s 100% doable.

I was nervous the first time I went to a concert by myself. The person I was supposed to go with backed out at the last minute, but I still wanted to go. I’d bought the tickets already.

So, I went. And it turned out great! I got to see the band I really wanted to see, and the lead singer even signed my ticket!

But please always be safe when you go to big events by yourself. Make sure someone knows where you are and always be aware of your surroundings. If you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe, leave. Never put yourself in an unsafe situation.

One guy at the first concert I went to by myself wouldn’t take a hint at first, so I just moved to a different spot and enjoyed the rest of the show. I wasn’t going to let him ruin my night after I had worked up the courage to go alone.

Find an event you want to go to and book that ticket! Feel courageous and proud that you’re going by yourself! I’m proud of you!

Whether you cook it, go out to eat, or order in, trying a different type of food than your norm is a good way to leave your comfort zone.

Many of us have our favorite foods and our grocery carts are often filled with the same items every week.

Challenge yourself to mix it up a little bit. Try a new recipe or restaurant tonight for dinner.

You might find something new you’ll love.

 By stepping out of your foodie comfort zone, you’re opening yourself up to new experiences. If you’re cooking, then you’re challenging yourself in a positive way and broadening your horizon.

*If you want to gain more confidence in just one week, subscribe to my newsletter to receive your FREE copy of the 7-Day Confidence Building Workbook*

Volunteering is a great way to not only challenge yourself to step out of your comfort zone, but also to meet new people and maybe discover a new passion.

By getting involved with a cause your confidence will also increase, because you’ll feel purposeful and have a sense of accomplishment.

Knowing you made an impact in your community or for a cause you care about will make you feel better about yourself.

Find a local community organization or a cause you care about and find out how you can help. Most organizations are always looking for new volunteers whether it’s at a senior living facility, an animal shelter, or a local council.

Read through this list again and pick out the activity you’re going to challenge yourself to try whether it’s trying a new type of food, changing your style or taking a course on Udemy.

You get to decide where your comfort zone boundary lines are. They can be as big as you want them to be.

Let me know how it goes for you in the comments, or you can email me! I’d love to hear from you!