What does it mean to have a comfort zone? Is it serving you or limiting you?

Essentially, a comfort zone is a state of mind. We all have different mindsets in which we feel at ease. 

Our comfort zone serves a fundamental purpose, protection. Comfort zones keep people safe and encourage caution when caution is due. Having a comfort zone is what has helped humans survive as a race for as long as we have. 

While having a comfort zone is no doubt beneficial in a number of aspects, it can also be limiting. Living within one’s comfort zone prevents vulnerability.

It’s important to let our guard down and be vulnerable because doing so allows us to share intimate parts of ourselves and develop compassion. Vulnerability allows us to experience great new avenues of thought.

To help you understand the importance of vulnerability, check out this incredible TED Talk by researcher Brené Brown.

Learning about Brene’s work changed my life. I’d love to hear what you think of the talk and if you’ve noticed any areas where you are armoring up in your comfort zone. Please take the time to watch and then come back to continue reading and comment with your thoughts. I promise you won’t regret hearing what she has to share.

For many of us, the idea of opening up is scary and can take us way out of our comfort  zone. However, by learning to be more vulnerable, you simultaneously teach yourself you’re worthy of love and happiness. 

Here are some steps you can take to get out of your comfort zone and be more vulnerable. 

First—and this might be a big ask for many of you—you need to accept the fact that you’re worthy. I know for a fact that you’re worthy because we all are! Whether you’re opening up to someone or reaching for a goal, believe that you’re enough to warrant love, success, and respect.

In her TED Talk, Brené Brown explained, “There was only one variable that separated the people who have a strong sense of love and belonging and the people who really struggle for it. And that was, the people who have a strong sense of love and belonging believe they’re worthy of love and belonging. That’s it. They believe they’re worthy.”

Next, resist the urge to put up walls. Instead, give yourself permission to experience the feelings that you’ll have as a consequence of your vulnerability, good or bad.  

Finally, trust that you can deal with the outcome, no matter what. Negative responses never feel good, but you can’t control how others react. Know that sometimes when you allow yourself to open up, you risk being rejected or met with indifference. You may have hurt feelings, but that’s how you free yourself to become vulnerable. 

When you leave your comfort zone to open yourself up to vulnerability, you make the conscious decision and display to others that you are worthy. That is a very empowering place to be.