There’s a lot of talk about the ubiquitous comfort zone and everyone’s efforts to escape from it, as if it’s Hell on Earth. But what does it really mean, and how can you turn that vague goal into specific actions?

First of all, getting out of your comfort zone has two distinct characteristics:

1. If you don’t want to do it, it is definitely out of your comfort zone and you should do it.
2. Often, the things that get you out of your comfort zone aren’t blissful and pleasurable at all while you are doing them. Some of them really suck. When time passes and your brain ‘polishes’ the memories, some of them may start to look like adventures, while others will always remain cringe-infusing images in your mind. In both cases, you will have cool stories to tell around the fire.

So, why is it so hard to get out of your comfort zone?

Making yourself do something that you don’t want to do is always hard. But it’s not impossible. You can make it a bit easier when you remind yourself that pushing your boundaries will ultimately bring you great happiness. According to an article in Psychology Today, happiness is maximized when you confront a crisis with grace.

Additionally, studies prove that it’s easier to step beyond your normal self when you have your more adventurous friends around. Their readiness to take risks can be contagious.

5 simple ways to get out of your comfort zone while you are traveling:

1. Eat something you wouldn’t normally eat. Don’t just stick to things that look delicious; at least once per trip, you should eat something that provokes thoughts in your head like “oh my, I would never ever put this into my mouth”. You may not like it, but you should at least try it.
2. Go somewhere you wouldn’t normally go. You hate museums? Visit at least one and make a genuine effort to find something enjoyable about the experience. Galleries? Make them interesting by getting this free app, which will tell you the story of every painting and naked ancient Greek sculpture. Don’t like baking on the beach? Go with a friend and ask them to help you make it fun (by trying water sports, boating, SUP…).
3. Haggle. Haggling at exotic markets can always go in a totally unexpected direction. No matter what happens, the experience will keep you alert and thinking of ways to win the battle of wills.
4. Swap your playlist for local music. You can listen to the latest Taylor Swift hit whenever you wish, but when you are abroad, mute Look what you made me do and try a local radio station to get a sense of what people listen to where you are. Ask around to find a local band/artist to add to your favorites. If you start every day of your trip with the same song, you will actually create longer-lasting memories.
5. Meet locals. If you are not particularly sociable, try to talk more with the receptionist at your hotel or ask a few personal questions to your tourist guide (like do they have a family? In what part of the city do they live? Is it a considered a good or a bad area? What do they do in their free time?). The deeper you delve into the lives of others, the greater the possibility that you’ll receive an unexpected offer that will take you somewhere unknown – and that’s an adventure in itself!

Pin it or save it for later, because you never know when you will want to break out of your comfort zone:

The post How to travel out of your comfort zone (and what it really means) appeared first on 203Challenges.

Admitting that I was having dinner alone felt like the biggest crime in the history of mankind. Although it was not the first time I’d eaten out alone, this time it was different.

Somehow for me – and for a lot of other people, as I found out later – it’s okay to have a quick breakfast on the way to work or uni, or have lunch all by yourself during your break, but taking yourself out for dinner at a nice restaurant makes for a whole other level of awkwardness and intimidation.

So, in my ambition to reach that level of awkwardness and intimidation, and also craving a delicious chef-made meal, I went to have dinner all by myself. I read all the tips along the lines of “how to dine alone,” only to neglect them. That meant no phone, books or any other distractions, and also choosing a table in the middle of the restaurant, not in the corner or near the window, which would apparently have been less intimidating – following the mantra of “Go hard or go home”. I mean, how bad could it be?

It’s not that bad at all

After the initial feeling of discomfort disappeared, I actually really enjoyed the evening. Treating yourself to a nice meal in a nice place alone is about as good for your wellbeing as doing the same with the company of friends. Plus, it allows you to observe and romanticize the atmosphere around you, making you feel like you’re in a movie – and who doesn’t like to feel like that?

Life is short, just enjoy the food! – Marco Guerrero/unsplash

People don’t care as much as you think they do

The reason why a lot of people would never consider dining out alone is the fear of people’s judgement, and the belief that all the other people in the restaurant would be very aware and disturbed by the fact you’re alone at your table. Thinking this way exposes you to the so-called “spotlight effect” – the belief that people notice some things about you when they actually don’t. This effect is actually connected with egocentrism and the fact that we are the center of our own universe. So, don’t be egocentric – dine alone!

It doesn’t make you a loner

Have you ever really thought that a person you’ve seen alone at a restaurant has no friends and probably lives alone with 30 cats? We often tend to make excuses for others, but are always so hard on ourselves. So even if someone notices you, they will not picture you as a sad loner, and you should not see yourself as such either.

It’s a big part of solo traveling

Solo traveling includes doing a lot of things by yourself and dining is often one of them. If you want to prepare for a solo trip, it’s better to get used to doing it in a familiar environment than in a foreign one. It might actually help you enjoy other activities by yourself and eventually give you the courage to travel solo for the first time.

Which table would you choose? – Abdullah Öğük/ Unsplash

It actually makes you feel confident and free

Confidence is knowing you can be fine by yourself, enjoying your own company and not caring what people might think. This essentially means you should “fake it until you believe it” – even if the first time you decide to go out by yourself you feel uncomfortable, the liberating feeling of confidence and overcoming a fear you get after that is worth it. In the best-case scenario, such a small act could help boost your overall self-esteem. I was not surprised at all that the mini research among my friends showed that the most confident ones find dining alone not scary at all and would do it without much thought.

You have time to think about stuff

Our minds never stop working. Since you’re in a situation where you don’t have to talk, you might as well let your mind drift freely as much as it wants. What I like to do when I know I’ll spend some time alone (for example on the bus or in a queue) is read an article before going out and then, when the alone time comes, think about what I’ve just read. Some interesting topics will probably pop up in the moment, too, whether it’s from something you overhear or see, or even if it’s something you thought about months ago. And while wandering, you mind might come up with some really great, creative ideas. If such an idea comes to you while dining alone, you should celebrate it by adding a glass of fine wine to the bill!

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