Mindset

The comfort zone myth

While your comfort zone serves a real purpose, what you *think of* as your comfort zone may be holding you back from living your fullest life.

The Flourish team

Originally this post was going to be titled, “Screw your comfort zone,” but as with most other things, it’s not so black and white.

Your comfort zone isn’t inherently a bad place. In its truest sense, your comfort zone serves a purpose.

See? Your comfort zone is metaphorically and sometimes literally a place where you feel safe. Per Wikipedia, “A comfort zone is a psychological state in which things feel familiar to a person and they are at ease and (perceive they are) in control of their environment, experiencing low levels of anxiety and stress. In this zone, a steady level of performance is possible.”

Feeling at ease is a good thing, as I would imagine most mental health professionals would agree. And there’s nothing wrong with performing steadily.

But.

In my work at Flourish, I often hear members referencing their “comfort zone” and it’s a total misnomer.

And I have a feeling this might be true for you too….

You say emotional eating is your comfort zone, but it’s followed by a wash of guilt.

You think staying at home is your comfort zone, but you’re constantly scrolling through fitness feeds on IG, wishing you could be “that person.”

You don’t date because you’re scared of putting yourself out there and leaving your comfort zone, but at your core, you’re lonely.

So, yeah, screw your comfort zone.

Screw your comfort zone if it’s only creating the myth of real comfort.

Here’s the thing:

In many cases, you’re staying in your comfort zone because you’re scared of feeling uncomfortable.

But if you were really being honest with yourself, you’d realize you’re already uncomfortable.

So now you get to choose:

Do you choose the discomfort of your comfort zone? The one you know isn’t working?

Or do you choose the discomfort of potential? Potential failure, sure. But there’s also the potential for growth that you know isn’t currently available to you in your “comfort zone.”

What’s your choice?

Author
Headshot of Claire Siegel
Claire Siegel
RDN, LD
Co-founder, CEO
Claire Siegel is the founder and CEO of Flourish. Claire has made it her life’s mission to help women create a sustainable approach to their physical and mental well-being.
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