Comfort Zone: How to get out of it and elevate your potential!

I feel this topic is very close to my heart.

In this article, I decided to talk about the comfort zone and how to get out of it. I felt inspired because so many of you have asked me where I found the courage to change my environment and move to another continent all by myself.

On one hand, I’m thrilled to hear any praise and positive feedback from you, and flattered to be called ‘brave’. But on the other hand, I really want you to understand that stepping out of your comfort zone is something that absolutely anybody can do– you don’t have to have some sort of unusual bravery or courage.

Remind yourself that in this world nothing is impossible, and our potential is infinite! We just need to consistently believe in ourselves.

But let’s dive into this topic step-by-step and break down how you can leave your comfort zone.

My journey

I’ll start by saying that I’ve always been a very independent spirit. Many people tell me I’m an old soul. However, as with every human being in the world, there were moments where my confidence was under my feet and I thought I offered zero value.

When I was at university I was really insecure. Studying in a fashion environment meant being surrounded by competitive and superficial people. Don’t get me wrong: I love fashion and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to study in one of the best schools in the world.

But I would be fake if I now told you that it was easy like a Sunday morning.

For three years I had a very bad relationship with my body, an unhealthy lifestyle and lots of very toxic people around me. People who weren’t interested in seeing me happy and successful. Totally the opposite, in fact.

This is one of the reasons I decided to move cities once I’d completed my studies. In that moment, I realised it was a necessity for me.

Since I was young, I felt my physical and mental health were extremely important to me. Once I realised that they were about to be compromised, I had to choose myself.

Many people didn’t get why I was giving up and leaving a very ‘fashionable’ lifestyle. But at that point I didn’t care at all. My happiness and health were way more important than showing off.

So in 2017, I moved from Milan to Florence.

I’m always telling people that Florence saved my life. I was finally surrounded by positive people, and I was finally back to my healthy life.

Now the question is: If Florence is so great and you were so happy there, why did you move to Dubai?

My move to Dubai

2020 was a very tough year for me. The pandemic was actually the least horrible situation that happened to me in my personal life. When the year finally finished, I promised myself that I would do anything to be happy. I thought: “Viky, after all you’ve been through, you deserve it”.

I spend my 2021 finding a way to heal my soul and process my emotions. It was a journey, but guys, self-analysis is fundamental to growing as human beings and emotional souls. When I felt that my mind was clear again, I decided to analyse every area of my life and check if I was satisfied in all of them. (In the meantime, I also became a Life Coach and did my personal analysis based on the Circle of Life. If you wanna explore it with me, feel free to book a consultation with me. It’s life-changing– believe me!)

Through my self-analysis, I realised that I wasn’t really satisfied with my personal expression. I felt like all my potential and my energies were locked in a cage. Professionally speaking, I felt I could have done more and I could have found clients more aligned with my philosophy. Emotionally speaking, I felt my environment wasn’t promoting my success and personal development.

After a long process and many many nights spent lying awake overthinking, I realised I needed a change. I needed to find a place where my potential as a business entrepreneur and woman could be promoted.

Dubai was my answer.

I remember the months before I came here were a complete mix of excitement and fear. What am I gonna do there alone? What if I don’t like it? One day I even said to myself out of the blue: “Viky, what have you done? Leaving your friends, family and comfort for what? You’re crazy!”

And yep, maybe I was.

But you know what? I’ve never been so happy in my life.

How to step out of your own comfort zone

But now, let’s talk about you. First of all, let’s specify what a comfort zone is, and why it’s important to get out of it.

The comfort zone is a state of illusory comfort made of ordinary actions and based on a safe routine. The word comfort normally has good connotations. However in this case, it represents a zone where we don’t develop ourselves because we’re scared to take risks or we have a fear of change.

Living within our comfort zones for the rest of our lives can make us extremely unhappy and unsatisfied. By consequence, we end up looking at other people’s lives, comparing ourselves to them, being jealous and stopping the natural flow of our own potential.

Why should we go out of our comfort zone? Because stepping outside your comfort zone is the primary way by which we grow and express our personality and skills.

Everyone has their own personal idea of comfort. Getting out of it is a completely individual action that differs for everyone. Moreover, it’s a difficult step for anybody. So it’s totally okay to feel scared or apprehensive. 

As with every change, the best way to do it is taking baby steps. Don’t rush– it’s not a competition! 

As a Life Coach, here are 6 steps to get out of your comfort zone and develop your potential:

1. Embrace the new. Avoid judgement.

I’m talking about avoiding judgement from yourself, other people, anything. 

Stepping out of your comfort zone means that you will inevitably be facing new situations and new people. If you feel weird or uncomfortable sometimes, it’s totally normal! Don’t judge yourself. It’s a process.

I invite you not to judge what is coming to you. Even if it’s something you have never experienced, don’t judge it just because you don’t know it yet. Instead, try to observe, learn and embrace it– and see what happens.

2. Do something you have never done.

This could mean planning a solo trip or eating food you have never tried before. Doing new things once in a while promotes the growth of our personality and the function of our brain.

Stimulating our brain with new imputes it’s like giving water to a plant: it brings new life.

Personally I find that attending workshops can be an amazing way to do this. Pick one you like the sound of, and try to interact with the people there.

3. Put yourself in uncomfortable situations

This doesn’t mean you need to do things you hate. It means facing your fears and putting yourself in a situation that would have felt uncomfortable at the beginning, but once you embrace it you’ll reap the benefits.

Have you ever slept in a tent in the middle of the forest? Have you ever talked with a stranger in a language you don’t feel confident to talk in? They’re just a couple of examples of ideas you could try to make yourself feel intentionally uncomfortable (in a safe way).

4. Surround yourself with positive human beings 

Remember; your tribe is your vibe. In order to express your potential without any judgement, I invite you to surround yourself with supportive and loving human beings. Trust me, it makes all the difference.

5. Transform fear into excitement.

It’s normal: fear is normal. Being totally guided by her is not.

Take a deep breath and consider that it’s just an emotion. It’s not reality.

When a new experience is coming, instead of thinking about all the worst things that could happen, think about all the good things that could happen to you once you do it. Shifting from a negative to a positive mentality permits you to see things from a different point of view. 

Last but not least, remember that we attract what we are: if you want to attract positive and loving human beings to you, be positive and loving yourself.

6. Meditation and positive affirmations

In order to find the courage to change, you need to think that you can make it. Because you can.

Our thoughts create our reality. If we think that we deserve to be loved, love will find us. If we think that we have value, valuable opportunities will find us. I’m not inventing these things: it’s the law of attraction, and it’s been proven to work.

Practising daily meditation and affirmations will help clear your mind and prevent you from overthinking. After meditating, when your mind feels clear and calm, put yourself in front of the mirror and repeat helpful affirmations. 

You can create your own affirmations, or you can research them on Pinterest, Instagram or Spotify (listening to them in the morning is part of my self love ritual, which I highly recommend!).

Here’s an example:

“I am valuable. I deserve love. I am love. I am beautiful inside and out. My energy is powerful and it will attract beautiful things and opportunities.”

7. Self awareness

If you think that something might be blocking you from manifesting what you want, talk with a practitioner, a coach or a psychologist. Sometimes old hidden traumas don’t permit us to become the best version of ourselves.

Been there, done that.

If you need support, feel free to book a consultation on my website. As a Life Coach, I will help you to face your blocks and embrace your bio-individuality to become the best version of you, for you.

I cannot wait to hear your experiences, your thoughts and ideas. Feel free to share your opinions and personal experiences!

I hope this article inspired you.

Good Vibes Only, 

Coach Viky