The brain is wired to avoid danger and discomfort, which can cause conflict to change. It prefers familiar patterns because they save energy and lessen stress. When you step outside this space, you defy these patterns, forcing your brain to adapt, which can feel devastating or frightening.
Stepping out of your comfort zone feels tough because it's a place of awareness, where you feel safe, and have control of. The comfort zone offers a sense of security because you know what to expect, and you're not taking risks that could amount to failure or discomfort. Going beyond it often triggers fear of the unknown, anxiety about making mistakes, and doubt about outcomes.
The first time i stepped out of my comfort zone happened during a public speaking event in secondary school that I reluctantly agreed to participate in. I had always considered myself more of a behind-the-scenes kind of person, I had always preferred quiet spaces to express my thoughts through writing or one-on-one conversations even the one-on- one conversations are rare except I was really close to you. The idea of standing in front of all those people, where all eyes would be on me, felt scary.
The weeks leading up to the debate were filled with unease. I would write and rewrite my speech, practice in front of the mirror, and still feel that it wasn’t good enough. I was concerned about forgetting my lines or freezing up when I saw the spectators glaring back at me. Every time the thought of me taking the stage crosses my mind, my heart sprinted, and I felt a knot in my stomach.
On the day of the event, I could hardly eat breakfast. The hall was larger than I had assumed it would be, the turn up was massive and seeing people file into their seats made my anxieties spike even more. My palms were sweaty, and I could feel my heart beating fast like I was sprinting a 100 meter yards as I waited for my turn to speak. When my name was finally called, I walked up to the stage, feeling bare and vulnerable. Seeing all the eyes of students from various schools focused on me
As I began speaking, the first few moments were shaky. My voice shuddered, and I could sense my discomposure. But as I continued, something shifted. I started to focus less on the audience which mom advised me on prior the debate and more on the message I wanted to share. Little by little, the nerves settled, and I found my flow. I moved from 0% composure to a 110% steeze😂😂. By the end, I was more at ease, and when I finished, I was met with applause.
The experience, though uncomfortable, taught me an important lesson: stepping out of my comfort zone is where growth takes place. Facing my fright of public speaking assisted me to gain confidence and realize that I could do more than I had firstly believed. It gave me a reminder that discomfort is often for a short time, but the growth it brings can be long-term sometimes even lifelong.
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My entry for hivenaija weekly prompt
📝 Reflect on a time when you felt completely out of your comfort zone. What did you learn?