Opinions and experiences with Comfort zones and taking risks with anxiety

I thought it may be an interesting topic. I see time and time again the belief for people to constantly push their comfort zones and if you’re not taking risks at every turn you’re missing out on life.

But here’s my take on it, what is so wrong about living comfortably in your same routines, if you are at peace and feel
Stable. Risks do not always pay off and can actually cost you your mental health and well being as well as resentment frustration and regret. I think it’s dangerous even to promote risk taking as some kind of glamorous way of living especially when you suffer with mental health.

I believe comfort zones should be promoted because it brings balance and contentment. People who step out and can’t relax within their comfort zones complain that things aren’t going right, life is too hard, but they carry on with the next big risk to keep repeating the cycle. There’s something to be said about a simple life and living within your comfort, maybe we should be more content with a life that’s comfortable instead of always chasing the next big thing? We are taught we need to live achieving everything we want but I don’t think that’s possible and that should be ok. But society says it’s not and you must go after it at all costs until you achieve it. There’s no limit to what you can do and all that nonsense, personally I believe everyone has limitations in some way and maybe that needs to be accepted rather than pushed and aggravated all the time because society pressures you. I’ve felt even more a failure because of my limitations with my mental health and the pressures of this warped society. Now I’m learning it’s ok and maybe they are doing it wrong and don’t have a clue.

Taking big risks because of the influence of society and leading me to believe that’s what I’m meant to do to lead a happy fulfilling life has brought me nothing but stress and mental anguish. Ive had to figure out the truth for myself. What’s everyone else’s experience?

I think it depends on what the 'big risk' is.

Sometimes people get so trap in their comfort zone that they close themselves off to new ideas or situations that might be a positive factor in their emotional development or health.

Maybe it's not so much as taking a risk, but more of expanding your comfort zone.

MW,

I think it is a personal choice, one hundred percent. There are vast differences between people's personalities and how they are wired up. Being true to yourself and doing what is right for you as an individual is key.

Also, people's comfort zones are different! To me, getting up and performing in front of many people is nothing... (I am a professional dancer and I sing in a couple of bands as well) but it would be terrifying to some. Conversely certain things that others do on a regular basis are way to uncomfortable for me to take on. So you may be more adventurous than you think...just maybe in a less conventional way than what society says!

Now as far as anxiety management/recovery goes...I do think it's important to try and expand our comfort zones a bit here and there for growth. It needn't be anything dramatic, just talking small steps regularly when you are feeling up to it, in order to lessen/conquer challenges that hold us back.

Good discussion. Thanks for opening it up. I thing we will all learn a lot from reading and participating!

S.C.

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Moderator:Anxiety/Panic

"Courage is not the abscence of fear, it is feeling afraid and doing it anyway!"

"Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles...it empties today of its strength."
Corrie Ten Boom

Panic Syndrome recovery due to CBT