12 Simple Ways to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone in 2025

Have you ever wondered what your life would look like if you were to get out of your comfort zone? For many of us raised in dysfunctional families, the comfort zone can feel like a safe place that is not filled with uncertainty and “what ifs” despite being built on patterns of avoidance, fear, and self-doubt. So, is it really safe, or is it just familiar?

Think about an experience you have always wanted to try but haven’t been able to, whether it’s taking a dance class, going alone to a restaurant, or building on a creative project.

What holds you back from taking a step in that direction? Is it a lack of opportunity or the emotions and thoughts that show up when you think about stepping into something new? Really think about what keeps you stuck.

What emotions come up when you try to get out of your comfort zone? For many, it might be fear, anxiety, patterns of self-doubt, or even shame.

When unresolved, these emotions can act as barriers, convincing you that staying in your comfort zone is safer or easier despite being built on avoidance or hesitation.

But staying in this space means you don’t get to experience and grow fully.

When you take small steps out of your comfort zone, you start to rebuild self-trust by showing yourself that growth is possible.

This does not mean you have to jump right in all the way; rather, it means finding small and meaningful ways to challenge your fears and create experiences for yourself that will help you build the life you want.

Don’t worry. I understand that stepping out of your comfort zone can feel overwhelming and confusing. You are not alone. I will guide you through a step-by-step process to help you slowly move out of your comfort zone. In this post, you will learn about the ‘four-zone comfort zone’ and 12 actionable ideas to help this year.

Whether you are starting small or want to go big in 2025, these steps and ideas will help you embrace growth and get out of your comfort zone.

So, What is the Comfort Zone?

You hear the word ‘comfort zone’ all the time, but what does it mean anyway? Well, the comfort zone is a space where you feel safe and secure. It’s predictable and familiar and allows you to be in control of your environment. When you know what to expect, there is little to no stress or anxiety because you don’t have to worry about stepping into the unknown.

When you stay in your comfort zone for too long, though, you can limit yourself to familiar patterns that do not serve you and keep you stuck.

For example, you might avoid public speaking because you are afraid of making a mistake, so you limit yourself to being in the background or following the lead well, knowing that if you did not avoid public speaking, you would be able to share your unique perspective, work on your ideas, and even inspire others.

But because the idea of stepping out of your comfort zone can seem so impossible and fearful, it can keep you stuck- sometimes for years- reinforcing the belief that staying within the comfort zone is safer than taking a risk.

Getting out of your comfort zone can seem so scary—trust me, I understand that 100%. But if you want to grow, heal, and create the life you have envisioned for yourself, you have to get out of your comfort zone.

What Does It Mean to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone—And Why Does It Matter?

You probably have heard people say, ‘Get out of your comfort zone,’ but what does that exactly mean, and why are we constantly urged to leave our comfort zones?

Your comfort zone is a space where everything is familiar, and there are very few surprises. While that can help provide a sense of security, it can also prevent you from experiencing life to its fullest potential because you miss out on opportunities to learn and grow.

Getting out of your comfort zone means stepping away from your environment, routines, and habits that keep you feeling safe and in control at all times. When you challenge yourself to experience new situations that might feel uncomfortable at first, you are able to see that while it might have been scary and probably not perfect, you were able to get through it, learn from it, and grow from it.

Trying something new, even if it’s small, can help build your confidence and help you see the world from a different perspective. It can be as simple as exploring a new hobby or saying yes to a new experience.

When small actions build up and your confidence increases, you slowly expand your capabilities. This means that the more you practice, the easier it becomes to step out of your comfort zone.

Let me be the first one to normalize the emotions that can come with stepping out of your comfort zone. It is entirely normal to feel nervous, anxious, or fearful when trying something new. Instead of avoiding your emotions, the goal is to try to lean into them and accept them as a part of the process.

Emotions, like everything, are temporary, and it’s a sign that you are stretching yourself in meaningful ways—the growth can last a lifetime.

“You can be scared and still move forward.”

Is Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone Important?

If you want to experience personal growth, you have to step out of your comfort zone. Things rarely change when we stay in our comfort zone, where they are predictable and safe. You don’t learn about your strengths, build resiliency, tolerate uncertainty, overcome challenges, or gain self-confidence when you stay within your comfort zone.

Every time you choose to try something new, you give yourself the opportunity to expand beyond what you believe is possible in your life.

Getting out of your comfort zone also does not mean you ignore your limits or force yourself into experiences or situations that you are not ready for or properly prepared for. The goal is not to risk your well-being or stretch your resources too thin, where situations can lead to harming your health, have a negative impact on your finances, or have high-stress situations that you are unable to cope with.

Before you decide to step out of your comfort zone, ask yourself, “Am I just anxious or fearful about this experience, or am I genuinely unprepared for this?” “Am I stepping out of my comfort zone in a way that feels manageable, or am I pushing myself too far?”

Growth is a gradual process, but that does not mean you aren’t always chasing discomfort. The goal is to recognize the balance between knowing when you need to step out of your comfort zone and take small, manageable steps and when you need to honor the space you are in by pausing and listening to what your mind and body need.

Why Do I Get Stuck in My Comfort Zone?

When you are raised in an environment that is unpredictable and chaotic, your nervous system is conditioned to associate that with safety simply because it feels familiar, which means you might have adopted to feel ‘normal’ in a state of stress. As adults, many of us recreate these patterns in different areas of our lives to match what feels familiar to our nervous system.

When you stay in your comfort zone, it feels easier because it’s comfortable. The idea of leaving the familiar for something unknown and challenging some deep-rooted patterns can feel threatening, as your body equates unfamiliar experiences with danger.

There might also be many beliefs that hold you back. Thoughts like, “I am not smart enough,” “People will laugh at me,” and “I am not capable” can all surface and stop you from taking risks. You may have experienced something out of your comfort zone, but it did not go as planned.

Maybe you failed, felt embarrassed, made a mistake, or did not do it perfectly, and these moments became powerful evidence for the negative beliefs you already hold about yourself, so you avoid trying again with the fear that you might repeat the same discomfort you felt.

Your upbringing often shapes these thoughts, which can become automatic. This makes it that much harder to leave your comfort zone because it keeps you stuck in the safety of it all. To work through these thoughts, reframe them into opportunities for learning and reflect on what you can do differently next time.

Making mistakes is part of the process, and it takes courage to get out of your comfort zone and try something new.

The Benefits of Leaving Your Comfort Zone

Leaving your comfort zone can be scary, but it will also help you experience a shift in perspective that is needed to see how capable you really are. This can lead to creating meaningful changes that are beyond surface-level growth. It allows you to explore your interests, strengths, and limits that you might not be able to explore without stepping out of what is familiar.

Stepping out of your comfort zone is not just about new experiences but is rather a journey of self-growth that would not happen otherwise. It takes courage to confront your fears and prove to yourself that you can thrive through uncertainty.

There are so many wonderful benefits to leaving your comfort zone, from meeting new people to increasing self-confidence to following through on goals.

4 Zones of Learning

RELATED POST: The Benefits of Leaving Your Comfort Z one

7 Steps to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

Wondering how do you break out of your comfort zone? Here are 7 simple ways:

1. Recognize Your Routine and Predictable Patterns

Our comfort zones LOVE routines—the things we do on autopilot every day without thinking about it too much. Don’t get me wrong—routines are important and helpful, but they can also keep us stuck in the same patterns.

Breaking generational patterns starts with awareness. Family and past experiences might’ve shaped the routines and habits you continue to engage in. For example, if you were always told to play it safe, you might never take risks as an adult. If you grew up in a family dynamic where emotions were always suppressed, you might avoid hard conversations to keep the peace. Or maybe you were taught that stability is important, so you continue to stay in a job that drains you.

You might be thinking about why you would want to change a routine or habit that brings you comfort. You are not wrong to question that, but these routines, while they might seem normal, can keep you stuck in ways that don’t allow you to grow.

Do you automatically prioritize the needs of others because that is what you were taught? Does fear get in the way when you are trying to go after something bigger in life because you are worried about what others will think or no one in your family has done it before? Are your thoughts telling you you have to have everything figured out before taking the next step? Maybe you have noticed that you never spend any time getting to know yourself.

Recognizing these patterns is not about blaming anyone (that includes you) but bringing awareness to them and deciding what to change. The first step to breaking a cycle is realizing you are in one.

2. Identify What You Want to Do

Now that you recognize your patterns, the next step to getting out of your comfort zone is to think about what you want to achieve- a goal that excites you or might challenge you.

You want this goal to align with your personal growth and something that scares you but should not overwhelm you to the point that it feels unmanageable or paralyzing. The goal is to spark growth without creating excessive stress or fear. You want to be specific about what you want because that will make it easier to take action.

Ask yourself, what will you gain if you step out of your comfort zone? What will you lose if you stay here? Clarity will help you connect your actions with your values, making it easier to take the first step.

3. Explore and Challenge Your Thoughts and Emotions

Before you get out of your comfort zone, it can be helpful to explore any thoughts or emotions that might be holding you back. List out your thoughts and emotions, and then ask yourself:

Are my thoughts based on facts or assumptions?
- What facts do I have that support my thoughts?
If my thoughts came true, that is the worst that could happen, and would I be able to handle it?
What is the best possible outcome if I try?
What is the most likely outcome if I try?
If my friends shared the same thoughts, what would I tell them?

Practice coping skills like visualization exercises, breathing exercises, and mindfulness techniques to help you face your fears logically or emotionally.

4. Break It Into Manageable Steps

There is often this misconception that when you step out of your comfort zone, you need to go all in. That can’t be further from the truth. You are allowed to do so at a pace that feels okay for you. If you need to break your experience into more manageable steps, you do that. For example, if your goal is to try a new dance class, start by dancing at home or practicing with a trusted friend and then work your way up to a small group. As you continue to tackle these small steps, you will feel more confident.

Also, have a plan to cope with uncertainty. Remember, you are never going to be in a place where you feel 100% ready to step out of your comfort zone. It is normal to feel anxious or uncertain. The goal is not to avoid how you are feeling but to remind yourself that it is part of the process by having tools to cope.

Whether it is a positive mantra or having a trusted friend support you, every step you can take will help build momentum for the next step and reduce fear.

5. Adopt a Growth Mindset

Having a growth mindset is so important when you are trying to get out of your comfort zone. Remember, this process is not just about what you are doing but also about how you think.

Thoughts can keep us stuck in the same place, and adopting a growth mindset allows you to trust that you can learn, improve, and change, even when something is unfamiliar or challenging.

Start to challenge the way you talk to yourself. Instead of saying, “I can never do this,” try, “I am allowed to be bad at something.” When you start to step out of your comfort zone and face a setback, ask yourself, ‘What can I learn from this?’ rather than see it as a complete failure.

I’ve learned that the more you are able to to reframe your thoughts and emotions around challenges, the more easier it will become to foster a growth mindset.

6. Repetition and Practice

We all know the popular saying that repetition is the mother of learning. There is no point in moving on to the next step if you weren’t really present or participating in the first step. Allow yourself to feel a little uncomfortable before you feel comfortable, and then move on to the next part.

The goal is to give yourself some room to make mistakes and learn from them.

For example, if your goal is to go to a dance workshop, your first step might be practicing simple dance moves at home or watching tutorials online. Once that feels easier, you can move on to the next step of the experience.

Don’t rush to the next step, but do not get stuck repeating the same step for too long.

7. Reflect, Adjust, and Celebrate

People often forget to reflect on and celebrate their efforts. Take some time to think about each step you worked through—what worked well, and what could’ve been improved? Once you have some reflection points, adjust your approach and try again.

But don’t forget to celebrate the effort you put in regardless of the outcome.

12 Ways to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone in 2025

Are you ready to challenge yourself in 2025? Here are 12 ways to step outside of your comfort zone:

1. Take a Solo Hike Somewhere New

Going on a solo hike somewhere new might not feel like a challenge at first, but trust me when I tell you that it will push you in ways that you won’t expect.

Going on a hike requires you to stay present and navigate the trail without the familiarity of a path or the help of your hiking buddy. You have to trust your abilities and stay aware of your surroundings. It’s a great way to trust your instincts and problem-solve (if you need to), but at the end of it, you get to celebrate with a good view and a sense of accomplishment.

Plus, you are out in nature, which is one of the best ways to clear your mind.

2. Post a video of yourself on social media

Posting a video of yourself on social media can feel terrifying, especially if you are very self-critical or worry about what other people will say. But this can be a fun and easy way to overcome that fear. Whether you choose to talk about your creative hobby, share some personal insights, or just say hi, the goal is to help remind yourself that your voice matters.

Your inner critic (especially if it’s critical) might scream and point out all the things you did not do correctly or how others might perceive you, but over time, you will see that the world does not end when you take up space.

3. Go on a Solo Date

Solo dates are becoming so popular, and for all the right reasons. Growing up in a dysfunctional family, you get used to putting others first and prioritizing their needs before focusing on what you need. A solo date is a fun way to break that pattern and get to know yourself.

The best part? It does not have to be fancy or even cost you money—it just needs to be something that makes you happy. Maybe you have a journal date with yourself or take yourself out to dinner.

If you are new to solo dating, it might feel awkward at first, but here’s a little insider’s secret: no one cares as much as you think they do. You get to show up for yourself in a way that feels good for you.

If you aren’t choosing yourself, why would anyone else want to? So go ahead, book that table for one, and you might realize that your own company is actually pretty great.

4. Try a new form of exercise

If you have been doing the same workout routine for a while, it’s time to shake things up. Remember, the goal this year is to step out of your safe space and try things that make you uncomfortable but help you grow.

Sign up for a 5K, even if you have never run before, try a new hiking spot, go to your gym’s dance classes, and remind yourself that you belong in any space you choose. Want an extra challenge? Try to go to the front of a class, allow yourself to make mistakes, learn and unlearn.

No one is paying as much attention to you as you think, and even if they are, what’s the worst that can happen? The goal is not to be perfect, but it’s about being brave, letting yourself feel the fear, and doing it anyway.

5. Eat at a restaurant alone

Anyone who knows me knows that I hate the spotlight. When I first considered eating at a restaurant alone, it most certainly felt like I was being offered a table on the stage with the spotlight on me.

I remember my brain coming up with all kinds of unhelpful thoughts like, “What if people think I am weird?”, “What if people think I have no friends?” “What is the point of this?” I definitely had the urge to pretend and check my phone or stay distracted, but I am glad I resisted the urge because when you actually look around, you might notice that no one is looking at you.

Most people are either focused on their own food and company or too busy scrolling on their phones. You get to focus on yourself and what you enjoy eating, all while watching how the world moves around you.

This is definitely my favorite way to get out of my comfort zone, and I hope it serves as a reminder to you that your own presence is enough.

6. Become a YES person (With Boundaries)

It’s time to flip the switch and say yes to things instead of constantly finding reasons why you should say no. If you find yourself automatically saying no to new experiences because they are unfamiliar, challenge yourself to lean into them.

Challenge yourself to say yes to last-minute plans, yes to getting into videos for dances, yes to new experiences, and yes to things that make you a little nervous. Remember, the goal is not to overwhelm yourself but instead not to allow fear to take the front seat in your life.

If you are saying yes to things that you typically would never say yes to, it makes sense if your instincts are telling you to retreat or give in to fear. The goal is to recognize when fear is holding you back. This does not mean you have to throw logic and caution out of the window or say yes to things where your safety is compromised. It’s being able to trust your gut and learning the difference between actual danger and discomfort of growth.

The more you learn to say yes to life, the more stories you will collect and prove to yourself that the unfamiliar is where life actually happens.

7. Be Bad at Something

Where are all my perfectionists? The ones who won’t try something new unless they know they won’t fail at it or know exactly what to expect? Yeah, this one is for you. It’s time to break out of the habit of spending your life avoiding things that might make you look silly.

Being a beginner at something takes courage. It forces you to let go of control. Something I continue to learn the hard way is that no one gets good at something without being bad at it first, and the most important reminder is that failure is not the enemy. The more mistakes you allow yourself to make, learn from them, and not focus so much on being perfect, the sooner you will find a new level of freedom.

So, be terrible at something on purpose. Take a dance class, post that first video of yourself, and join a running club. Let yourself suck at something and keep going anyways. I promise you will be glad you did.

“Let yourself be bad at something.”

8. Ask 3 people for honest feedback about your blind spots.

Everyone has blind spots, habits, and behaviors that hold us back. The way you grow is to face them head-on and work on them.

Choose three people who know you well and who will be honest, and ask them about what they think you can improve on. Try not to interrupt the person, shut down emotionally, or get defensive, but rather focus on listening with the intention of wanting to better yourself and keeping in mind that this person has your best interest at heart. Actual growth is being able to sit with the uncomfortable rather than running from it.

Once you receive feedback, it’s time to process it by looking for patterns. Are multiple people pointing out the same thing? When do these blind spots show up the most? How do they affect your decision-making and/or relationships? Have you noticed this about yourself?

Reflecting on these questions allows you to come up with a small action plan to work through it.

Self-refection is about growth, and it occurs when you choose to engage in intentional changes and check in with yourself to track your progress.

9. Attend a therapy session

Therapy can be helpful at any point in your life, but it is especially important if you grew up in a dysfunctional family. You might have learned to suppress your feelings, struggle with anxiety or depression, or need support with working through challenging family dynamics. Therapy is about understanding how your past shaped you so you can break patterns that no longer serve you.

You might not know what to say or where to start in therapy sessions, but a good therapist will help guide the conversation toward self-awareness and healing.

It takes a lot of courage to name dysfunctional patterns in your family and even harder to talk about with a stranger, but I promise you, you will leave with tools to help you create a life that isn’t shadowed by your past.

10. Learn something new

If surviving is all you knew, there wasn’t much room for curiosity and exploring your own interests. You may also avoid learning new things because you are afraid of what other people will think of you in the process or the thought of failing. But trying something new is how you break out of your comfort zone.

The best part is that it does not have to be complicated. You can pick something that excites you but also might feel challenging, whether it’s learning a new instrument, taking a cooking class, or learning to repot a plant. Give yourself the time and space to be a learner and remind yourself that you are capable.

When you learn to step into unfamiliar experiences and figure things out as you go, you foster self-trust and rewrite the story that says you are stuck.

11. Cook Something New

Cooking is a basic life skill that everyone should develop at some point. I love to cook and often experiment with different recipes. Cooking forces you to slow down, follow a process, learn, and unlearn.

Pick a recipe you have been wanting to make, whether it’s a family recipe, a dish from a different culture, or baking holiday cookies. You might mess it up (that’s OKAY). It might not turn out exactly like your mom made it the first time, it might not look like the picture, or it probably tastes amazing, and that is part of the cooking process.

The goal is to learn to experiment and try out new things without the fear of failure. And hey, even if it doesn’t turn out that great, at least you will know what to do next time and have a fun memory with it.

12. Create a ‘Challenge Yourself’ List

Growth requires intentionality and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. A ‘Challenge Yourself’ list is a fun way to step out of your familiarity and try out things that scare you.

Remember, they do not have to try extreme things, and you don’t want it to be so overwhelming that you give up entirely. It could be a solo trip, sharing a reel on social media, trying a new hobby, or something as small as smiling at a stranger.

The goal is to do the things on your list and celebrate your wins. It does not matter if anyone else sees it the way you do; only you know how hard it was and that you went through it anyway.

Self-growth is all about learning to celebrate yourself. The more you push yourself, the more you will continue to see that fear does not mean you are incapable and that you can do things even while being scared. When you get through the first list, make a new one. Growth never stops.

How to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone as an Introvert

Don’t worry. I have not forgotten my introverted friends, who love their quiet spaces and familiar routines. Getting out of your comfort zone does not mean you have to force yourself to be extroverted or jump into activities you aren’t interested in.

It’s about taking small, manageable steps to challenge yourself in a way that feels right for you. Here are some ideas to help you get started:

Read a new book outside of your usual genre
Go on a solo date introvert-style
Call someone instead of texting
Say yes to an invite you usually decline
Try a 30-day comfort zone challenge
Change up your daily routine
Try a new hobby

Getting out of your comfort zone is not just about checking off a list of activities but more about changing how you show up in your own life. The goal is to help you disrupt patterns and routines that keep you stuck, question and reframe the fear that tells you to stay where it’s always safe, and prove to yourself that you are capable.

Growth isn’t always loud or dramatic. Sometimes, it’s in the small, daily choices you make to lean into the discomfort rather than retreat from it. One day, what might feel impossible will become just another thing you do. That’s how cycles are broken when you break through fear. Change happens outside your comfort zone.

What was the last thing you did that pushed you out of your comfort zone? Comment below—I’d love to hear how it went.

Need a little push? Save these ideas to break free from your comfort zone!

Want to Keep Growing? Explore These Reads!

100 Simple Things That Make Me Happy

100 Awesome Solo Date Ideas for Those New to Me-Time

10 Practical Mental Health Goals for 2024 for Your Self-Growth

90+ Self-Care Ideas for Your Self-Care Saturday

Nisha Patel

My name is Nisha Patel. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the face behind the space Brown Girl Trauma (BGT). BGT is a Mental Health and Self-Growth Community for Adult Children of Dysfunctional Families. The central question that drives my work is, “How can we break the cycle of family dysfunction?” To answer that question, I like to write about ways to reparent your inner child through healthy self-growth & mental health practices- addressing your unmet needs.