10 Aug 2016

It’s easy to get into a groove in your teenage years. You’ve got your mates, your places you like to hang, and your things you like to do. There’s no reason you’d want to move outside of this comfort zone is there? It’s nice and cosy in there.

That may be, but if doing what you know you like makes for a good life, tasting fresh, new experiences makes for a better one. Whether it’s learning a new language or joining a band or bungee-jumping from a helicopter, you’ll be rewarded if you step outside your comfort zone once in a while. Here’s why.

1. You’ll find new loves

Maybe there’s something you’d like to have a crack at for the first time—like powerboating or kitesurfing, or perhaps backpacking through the history-steeped landscapes of Europe. But maybe you’re a bit hesitant because it seems like a hassle, or a bit risky.

Just dive in. Anything intimidating will stay intimidating until you tackle it. The best way to start getting over your hesitancy is to prep. Try listing your concerns or impediments and coming up with options for addressing each one, or talk to people who’ve been there before, or do your own research and get yourself clued up. Then, go for it; there are few things more satisfying than showing to yourself, and the world, that you can step up.

And not only will you be rewarded with the new experience itself, you’ll put yourself in the path of flow-on benefits too. It might turn out that you’re a powerboating natural, and lead to a career. Or on that trip overseas your life might be changed by falling in love with a new drink, a new landscape, a new city. Maybe you’ll meet someone who offers you the sweetest ever job, or a band of the craziest new friends. Maybe you’ll meet the love of your life. You can’t be certain that in trying something new, you’ll find a new love. But you can be certain that if you don’t try something new, you won’t. 

2. You’ll find new hates

Of course, just because you try something new doesn’t mean you’ll like it. Diving with sharks might give you a thrill, but it might also give you a heart attack. You could trial watching an international arty flick, and maybe it will change your view of the world, or maybe you’ll embarrass yourself by falling asleep and dribbling on the shoulder of that hottie you went with.

Okay, so I might have sucky experiences if I push my limits…how is this an argument for trying new things? you might ask. Well, for one thing it will give you some decent war stories to tell your mates or your kids one day. Loathsome or scary experiences colour our lives just as much as enjoyable or exhilarating experiences do. Forrest Gump and Walter Mitty endured some dramas, but if they hadn’t, those movies would have been very different. Would you give a toss about the story of a bloke who likes to talk at bus stops, or about a shy, timid character who turns up to his office job at the start of the day and heads home at the end of it? And if a movie was ever made of your life, would you want it to look like that?

Discovering and experiencing things you dislike will make you a more rounded and interesting person. And it’ll give you some decent yarns for the pub.

3. You’ll make lifelong memories

Remember that time you were watching TV five years ago and you got up to get a drink of water? I’m guessing not. What about that time you celebrated the end of your first season in a new sports team—a team you’d been nervous about signing up for because you thought you’d be crap at the sport or not good enough for the team, but that led to you having an awesome set of new friends, experiences and stories?

Your most memorable experiences will be those you work hardest to achieve—that make you push through uncertainty and doubt.  They’ll stand out from the rest. So do something that forces you to take a breath and steel yourself before diving in. You’ll always remember the plunge, and you’ll have earned the lifelong memory that it gives you.

So try something challenging once in a while. I don’t mean you have to try something outlandish each and every day—maybe there’s just one massive plunge you want to take in your life. But just dive in. Make a New Year’s resolution, draw up a bucket list, put your name down for something even before you’re sure you’re ready. Just do what it takes to force yourself to get out there, because I guarantee that if you don’t push the limits of your comfort zone even once in your life, it will be fatal for you. You won’t ever have lived at all.