Comfort Zones

We often get comfortable in our lives.

We tend to go to the same places, see the same people, and do the same things day after day. In a world where the pace of change seems to be increasing, habitual experiences are comforting.

Nevertheless, I like the idea of doing things that take us out of our comfort zones. It’s good to be surprised when things don’t always go as expected. It’s good to be a little off-balance. It’s good to be learning new things.

When we get bored with our daily routines, it’s time to mix things up a bit. This doesn’t require making huge life changes. Just as little habits can make a big difference, little changes to our routines can significantly improve our experiences.

Here are a few examples.

If you like to go to a specific coffee shop, go to a different one. You may not like the new coffee shop as much as your regular joint. That’s okay. At least you won’t be sleepwalking through the experience.

If you like to eat salmon and feta omelets, choose to eat a prosciutto omelet with black olives and mozzarella instead. Remind yourself why you like salmon and feta in the first place.

If you tend to write stories on a computer in your home office, take a pad of paper to a park, and write a story there instead.

One of the reasons I love taking walks is because each walk is a bit different, even if you’re following the same path. You just have to notice the gentle breeze, the singing birds, or the unique smells that are slightly different each day.

It’s one of the reasons I love traveling to places I’ve never been before!