You know what day of the week it is by which television programs are on. Your friends ask you over for dinner and karaoke and you’ve always got an excuse. You get home after work and immediately change into your pajamas because you know you’re not going out. Sound familiar?
Sometimes it happens so slowly, you don’t even notice that you’ve fallen into a rut until one of your friends asks if you’ve been conducting secret experiments in your basement that require constant monitoring. You’re well on your way to creating the template for "You might be a recluse if... "
Yes, you definitely need to break out of the box and start living your life, and yes, it’s hard to leave the safety of your comfort zone, but do you really want to eat bologna sandwiches every day? How did this happen in the first place?
Addicted to Normal
People like to have a routine. It makes them feel safe and secure when most of the world around them seems to be in chaos. For some people, stepping out of their comfort zone can bring on intense feelings of anxiousness or fear. They have a driving psychological desire to feel safe.
It’s important to test boundaries from time to time. Without exploration, there will be no growth or experience. Trying something different may feel awkward, but it could turn into an enjoyable experience. For instance, if you never tried snorkeling, you’d never experience the myriad of beautiful, colorful fish beneath the waves.
How to Venture from Your Shell
How can you begin to push the limits of your comfort zone? It doesn’t have to happen all at once. Instead of having a microwave dinner in front of the TV, you might try inviting a friend to have dinner with you at a local restaurant. Try a new dish.
Write down a list of things you’d like to try. Maybe you’d like to try your hand at dancing. Check around your community to see what types of dance classes are being offered. Or if dancing isn't on your agenda, maybe bowling’s more up your alley.
If you’re still stumped for ideas, think about trying some of the ones listed below:
- Skip the TV and head out for a night at the movies.
- Drive to a nearby town and have dinner at a restaurant you’ve heard about.
- Spend the night at a hotel. Enjoy the sauna and heated pool.
- Take in a live performance or audition for a part in a play.
- Resurrect an old pastime like bicycling or running.
- Explore a part-time job at a restaurant or movie theater.
- Join a club and socialize with people who enjoy the same things as you.
- Volunteer your time at a fund-raising event. You’ll meet interesting people and have fun doing it.
- Take a camping trip. Go hiking. Rent a kayak.
- Accept a dinner invitation with someone or extend one of your own.
- Take a creative learning class at a local college.
This is not intended to be a complete list. Once you get out and start exploring you’ll find a treasure trove full of activities that you can participate in, and you’ll make new friends doing it. You’ll even discover what it is you’ve been missing by staying cooped up.
So stop making excuses, put down the remote, change out of your pajamas, and get out there and start living your life! You won’t regret it!
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