Last week, I guided two talented clients through a struggle I know all too well, the deep desire for career growth, paired with the comfort and safety of staying behind the scenes. It can feel like stuckness; but honestly, it’s a natural part of professional evolution. I understand it because I’ve been there myself; choosing the background over the spotlight, until my own ambition persistently called me forward. It wasn’t an overnight shift. I found it through reflection and small, deliberate acts of courage by moving towards the kind of growth that felt easy and comfortable, where I could expand without losing myself.

If you, like many others are thinking that it will take some huge steps on your end to make changes then let me tell you from my experience that changes are born from a series of intentional, steady small steps. Read more to know how you can move out of your comfort zone with ease.

What is Comfort Zone?

Before we discuss how to get out of the comfort zone, let’s first talk about what exactly is comfort zone.

Most people think the “comfort zone” is just a pop-psychology buzzword, but it actually comes from real research. The idea traces back to a 1908 study known as the Yerkes–Dodson Law, which found that we perform best when we’re slightly stretched; too much comfort leads to stagnation, too much stress leads to burnout. The term “comfort zone” itself was later coined by psychologist Judith M. Bardwick in her 1991 book Danger in the Comfort Zone, where she described it as the space where we feel safe but stop growing. Bardwick’s work brought this idea into personal development and organizational psychology, where comfort zone is seen as the state of minimal anxiety and routine performance where growth stagnates.

Naturally, if we are too comfortable, then in the context of professional growth, we may stop growing beyond a particular point. Being comfortable with the same people, with the same amount of money, with the same level of expertise, daily challenges, and job title all of this can lead to a state of complacency. In this state, the motivation to learn, adapt, or take on new risks diminishes, making us vulnerable to industry shifts and closing the door to opportunities and may lead to irrelevance in a constantly evolving workplace.

Why should I Move out of my Comfort Zone if I am Happy There?

This question obviously makes sense, and in my opinion, it is okay to stay in your comfort zone as long as your personal life feels peaceful, you don’t have any unfulfilled desires hidden in your heart, and the thought of moving out for something “better” doesn’t cross your mind. In the comfort zone, there is familiarity, safety, and security; it’s a psychological state where your nervous system can rest, where predictability provides calm.

However, the same safety that soothes us can also quietly narrow the range of our experiences. Over time, the mind begins to adapt to predictability, and what once felt peaceful may start to feel stagnant because human beings are wired for both stability and expansion.

Dr. Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, the pioneer of “flow” research, placed flow between boredom (which occurs when an activity is too easy) and anxiety (when an activity is overwhelming or challenging). He found that flow results from the perfect match of challenge and skill and that fulfillment often arises when we engage in activities that slightly stretch our current abilities; not so much that they overwhelm us, but enough to spark engagement and meaning (Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, 1990).

Based on this, the comfort zone, then, isn’t a place to avoid or abandon. It’s a psychological home from which growth begins and to which we return for grounding. When peace becomes our foundation rather than our limitation, the comfort zone transforms from a hiding place into a resting place; one that prepares us for our next, self-chosen evolution.

The Benefits of Staying in Comfort Zone:

While we often talk about the comfort zone as something to escape from, it’s worth acknowledging that it also serves an important purpose. There are times when staying within familiar territory is wisdom.

1.Wisdom of Experience

When we operate inside our comfort zone, we’re tapping into years of practice and learned skill. We rely on the muscle memory of what we already know; whether that’s how to manage a situation, handle a conversation, or complete a familiar task with precision. This familiarity allows us to perform efficiently and with confidence, leaning on the wealth of experience that has already proven itself to work.

2.Safety through Familiarity

Stepping into the unknown naturally triggers uncertainty, but within our comfort zone, we feel grounded. The sense of mastery that comes from past successes fuels our self-assurance. It’s the psychological space where anxiety quiets down and competence shines through as a reminder that confidence is not always born from risk, but often from repetition.

3.Minimizing Risk

In the comfort zone, we understand the rules of the game. We know what can go wrong and how to prevent it. Familiar situations come with known patterns and that makes them predictable and safe. There’s a certain calm in navigating a path where the surprises are minimal and the outcomes manageable.

4.A Space to Reconnect and Integration

Growth requires effort, and effort can be exhausting. After stretching beyond our limits, it’s natural even necessary to return to our comfort zone for renewal. This is where integration happens, where the lessons of expansion settle in. The comfort zone can serve as our psychological home base; a place to rest, gather energy, and prepare for the next leap.

5.Efficiency in Routine

Within the comfort zone, routine becomes rhythm. Tasks flow easily, without the heavy mental load of planning or uncertainty. This efficiency allows us to conserve energy for what truly demands your creativity or courage. Familiarity can be freeing as it gives our mind space to breathe and focus on what matters most.

Who Creates our Comfort Zone?

Even as I write this, I’m reminded of a story my teachers, Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, once shared during my Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification. It was about a beautiful white tiger named Mohini at the Washington D.C. zoo. For years, Mohini lived in a small, enclosed space where she would pace back and forth within the same few steps. Eventually, the zoo decided to move her to a spacious, open enclosure; a place where she could finally roam freely. But to everyone’s surprise, Mohini didn’t explore. Instead, she settled into one small corner of that vast space, pacing within the same invisible boundaries she had known all her life. Even with freedom available to her, she stayed confined to her familiar 12×12 patch; the only world she trusted.

Humans are not so different. We, too, build invisible fences around ourselves shaped by our upbringing, our experiences, and the beliefs we inherit from those who raised us.

Often, our comfort zones are not consciously chosen; they are handed down to us through observation and repetition. Over time, these boundaries begin to feel safe, even sacred. The thought of stepping beyond them can feel not only frightening but almost impossible as if leaving that zone might mean losing control, or worse, losing ourselves.

And yet, if we are the ones who’ve created these limits consciously or not then surely, we also hold the power to expand them. The question isn’t whether we can; it’s whether we allow ourselves to. What keeps us inside the fence isn’t the size of the world, but the size of our fears, our regrets, and the quiet but persistent “what ifs” that echo in the mind.

What Should I do to Change the Life that I am Used to Live and see Life Outside of my Comfort Zone?

If you are wondering what should you do to expand your comfort zone, it is as simple as making an intention and sticking to it. As mentioned above, instead of going big, take small mindful steps to push the boundaries of your comfort zone so that your nervous system can feel safe while bringing a change in life.

Pushing yourself too far, too fast beyond your comfort zone can sometimes backfire. When an experience triggers excessive anxiety, your instinct is to retreat even deeper into what feels safe. Instead of leaping out of your comfort zone; it’s best to gently stretch it, step by step, until what once felt uncomfortable begins to feel natural.

Based on your needs, there can be multiple things you can do to see life outside your comfort zone but some of them can be:

1. Disrupt your Daily Routine a Bit:

A consistent routine built on healthy habits can be deeply grounding. It gives life a flow and predictability; something our nervous system often craves. Yet, when we hold on too tightly to that rhythm, it can quietly turn into repetition. Days start to blur together, and we find ourselves living on autopilot instead of being present. One gentle way to step outside your comfort zone is to introduce small moments of change. You don’t have to overhaul your entire routine; take small mindful steps, start by shifting just one familiar pattern. For instance, work from a different spot or rearrange your workspace to bring in new energy, take a new route to work or to gym, or switch the order of your morning rituals. These small disruptions remind your mind and body that safety and growth can coexist. They awaken curiosity; the part of you that wants to experience life beyond habit, one mindful step at a time.

2. Change the way you Respond to Fear:

Fear often signals that something new or unfamiliar is ahead, not necessarily danger. You need to be brave to step out of your comfort zone. Being brave is moving forward despite the fear.  When fear shows up, pause and observe it instead of reacting. In that moment of silence and pause, when the nervous system feels safe, ask yourself, “Is this fear protecting me or keeping me small?” and then ask yourself, how do I want to be in my life this point onwards. That awareness alone helps you act from choice rather than habit.

3. Reconnect with a Beginner’s Mind:

The comfort zone thrives on mastery; doing what you already know. To move beyond it, become a learner again. Pick up a new skill, explore a subject you know little about, or allow yourself to not have all the answers. Curiosity is the antidote to stagnation.

4. Travel beyond the Familiar:

Travel is one of the most enriching ways to step outside your comfort zone. It’s more than just sightseeing; it’s about shifting perspective. If you usually travel with friends or family, try going solo once. Choose a destination that feels unfamiliar, immerse yourself in its culture, and connect with the locals. Notice how new environments invite new parts of you to emerge curiosity, adaptability, and openness. Traveling also deepens your connection with nature and reminds you how vast and diverse the world truly is, far beyond the limits of your daily routine.

5. Expand Your Self-Worth Beyond Achievements:

Many people stay in their comfort zone because they subconsciously believe they’re only worthy when they succeed. Begin by redefining your relationship with worth-it’s not tied to outcomes, productivity, or perfection. When you feel safe in your own worth, stepping into the unfamiliar stops feeling like a threat and starts feeling like a natural evolution.

6. Surrender the Need for Control:

The comfort zone often disguises itself as control. We cling to the predictable because it feels safe. But what we really need in order to feel safe is trust: trust in timing, trust in yourself, and trust in life’s unfolding. Try allowing space for the unknown in small ways. Delegate a task that you know you can do better than others and then see what emotions are coming up for you, let a conversation flow without planning every word. Each act of mindful surrender opens a doorway to expansion.

7. Make a list of “Uncomfortable things” and Identify Your Edges of Discomfort:

Not all discomfort feels the same; some things feel mildly challenging, while others feel downright overwhelming. Take a notebook and make two lists: one for what feels slightly uncomfortable, and another for what feels extremely uncomfortable. Then, choose one small action from the first list, something that challenges you just beyond your comfort zone, not throws you out of it. Remember, awareness alone doesn’t create change; taking consistent, gentle action does.

8. Ask Deep Reflective Questions:

It’s important to have honest, open conversations with yourself to truly understand your comfort zone. The next time you feel resistance, anxiety, or negativity about trying something new, pause before labeling the feeling as “good” or “bad.” Instead, get curious about it. That discomfort is simply energy; a signal that you’re standing at the edge of growth. When you learn to channel that energy instead of fighting it, it becomes fuel for your next meaningful step forward.

Why Do People Often Regret Not Getting Out of Their Comfort Zone?

Now that we’ve explored some ways to step out of our comfort zone, it’s important to understand why so many people later regret staying within it. In her bestselling book The Top Five Regrets of the Dying, palliative care nurse Bronnie Ware shares the most common reflections of those nearing the end of their lives. Three of those regrets deeply echo the cost of never leaving one’s comfort zone:

• “I wish I had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.”
• “I wish I had the courage to express my feelings.”
• “I wish I had let myself be happier.”

These words are a quiet but powerful reminder of what happens when fear, habit, or comfort becomes stronger than our desire to grow. Many people who remain in their comfort zone end up realizing, often too late, that they never truly honored their dreams or expressed their authentic selves. They lived safely, but not fully.

Staying in your comfort zone means taking the path of least resistance; the one that feels predictable and secure. But while safety offers temporary peace, it can also create long-term dissatisfaction. Growth, fulfillment, and self-trust are born in the spaces where we stretch beyond what we already know. We rarely regret the risks we take in pursuit of a meaningful life; but we often regret the ones we don’t take.

How Do You Know When It’s Time to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone?

A good sign that it’s time to stretch beyond your comfort zone is when life starts to feel repetitive; when you’re no longer learning, growing, or feeling inspired. Maybe you’ve stopped taking chances, even small ones. Maybe your dreams feel distant, or your goals remain on paper, waiting for “someday.”

If you often catch yourself wondering why certain things aren’t moving forward, whether it’s building deeper friendships, advancing in your career, or simply feeling more alive, it might not be because you lack motivation. It might be because comfort has quietly turned into complacency and its calling you to challenge yourself to take a step towards growth.

How can people with low self-esteem challenge themselves to step out of their comfort zone and pursue their goals?

1. Finding your boundary

   
   When you start doing the inner work, you’ll begin to recognize where your comfort zone ends and your growth begins. Maybe you’ve always avoided sharing your opinion in a group because you feared judgment, but one day you decide to speak, even if your voice shakes a little. You realize it wasn’t as terrifying as you imagined. That moment matters. It’s how you start redrawing the line between “what I can’t do” and “what I just haven’t tried yet.” Each small act of courage becomes a quiet vote of confidence in yourself that allows you to go beyond the comfort zone.

2. Confronting your fears with compassion

   
   For someone with low self-esteem, fear can feel paralyzing because your inner voice keeps whispering that you’re not ready, not capable, or not enough. The truth is, fear isn’t a stop sign; it’s a signal that you’re expanding. When you face your fears with gentleness, acknowledging them instead of judging them, you create space for growth. You don’t need to erase fear to move forward; you simply need to walk alongside it.

3. Building safety through small actions

   
   Confidence doesn’t appear out of nowhere; it’s built through consistency. Start with small, manageable steps that feel safe enough to try but new enough to challenge you. Send that email, join that class, make that introduction and celebrate life. These small moments of action build emotional safety and slowly rewire your belief that you can handle more than you think. Over time, your comfort zone doesn’t vanish, it expands to hold a stronger, more self-assured version of you.

Stepping Beyond and Growing Through It

Getting to know your comfort zone and where its edges lie is one of the most empowering things you can do for yourself. When you start to gently push those edges, life begins to open up in new ways. A little bit of discomfort can actually be a good thing, it’s often the sign that you’re growing, learning, and building confidence in who you are becoming.

You don’t have to rush it. Some days you’ll feel brave enough to take a big leap, and other days, just taking a small step will be enough. Both count. Growth doesn’t happen in a straight line and it’s okay to slow down or take a step back when things feel too overwhelming. Just don’t stop completely.

Whenever you do step out of your comfort zone, pause to reflect. Ask yourself what that experience taught you about your own strength and resilience. Most of the time, you’ll realize it wasn’t as scary as you thought and that little realization makes the next step even easier.

Deep down, you already know where you’ve been holding back and where life is inviting you to expand. The question is are you ready to listen to that and see what’s waiting for you on the other side?