9 ways to Get out of your boring comfort zone and SHINE!

On By Zeenat Merchant Syal-Counseling Psychologist|Spiritual CounselorIn Mind, Heart& Soul-Motivation&Inspiration

“The future is completely open, and we are writing it moment to moment.” -~Pema Chodron

Have you ever felt stuck in a rut and were not sure about how to get out? If so, you’re not alone. It’s easy to get bored in the comfort of doing the same things in the same way at the same time. Even that sentence is boring!

I know a time when I had my life completely planned, even my fun time was planned! Then, ahem..life happened 🙂 I grew up, I experienced the world, I understood the world, I understood myself and most of all I realized, NOTHING that I had so meticulously planned worked out. The only part of that plan, that actually did work out….”be happy”. Ironically the only reason I became happy was because I let my plan go. Being stuck with plans is really not my thing. If there isnt one new thing added to my ‘today’ as compared to my ‘yesterday’ I know I’m stuck in my boring comfort zone.

Below I share Nine simple and practical things I do to keep things fun and allow me to shine and enjoy life 😉 Yeah I do love that word *shine*! Its so fun and sparkly na 🙂

9 ways to Get out of your boring comfort zone and SHINE!:

1. Conscious Breath
It all starts with breath! Conscious breath. Taking a conscious breath relaxes and energizes. Breath after breath, real life comes forth again. It brings you back into the present moment, out from the past, and out from the future. In the here and now, breath brings energy, relaxation, and clarity. Breathe in deeply, slowly, and consciously, and exhale. Do it again! Feel the difference?

2. Do Something You Aren’t Doing Now
It’s easy to get into a rut with the same uninspiring routine every day. You get up out of the same side of the bed, shower and wash your body parts in the same order, drive to work on the same route, then come home to watch television on the same spot on the sofa everyday. There is an easy way out. Do something you aren’t doing now. Do something different! Something big, something small, something silly, something out of the ordinary. Wear one black sock and one red sock. Wash your feet before you wash your hair. Hold your tongue instead of bickering with your spouse. Take a walk to the neighborhood grocery store instead of driving. Do one thing different and make a positive difference in your life today.

3. Talk to Yourself Lovingly
Self-talk tends to gravitate toward the negative. This self-critical self-talk rut can rob you of your enthusiasm for your dreams and leave you feeling less confident. It’s not necessary to control your negative thoughts or to only think positive ones. Instead, look into the mirror regularly, focus on what you’re doing right, and speak constructively to yourself. Realistic constructive self-talk can reduce stress, leave you feeling more capable, and help you put more enjoyment into your life.

4. Love Your Body
It’s easy to fall into a routine of neglecting, mistreating, or even hating your body. No matter what your weight or health, do something radically different today. Walk on over to the nearest mirror and have a real conversation with your body. Tell it what a great job it’s been doing of helping you go through the experience of life. And no matter how much abuse or neglect you’ve put it through, it’s still done its best to give you a home to live in.

5. Stop Complaining
Complaining about how things are is an easy habit to fall into. But complaining doesn’t resolve a situation. And deep down it doesn’t provide much satisfaction. Next time you find yourself complaining, take a breath and switch your focus to something that is going right or well in your world. What you give your attention and focus to will grow.

6. Get Outside
Have you been hibernating indoors? Too many hours sitting behind your computer or in front of the television? The average person spends about 90% of their times indoors. Staying indoors for too long can leave you bored, not to mention unhealthy. Fresh air, sunshine, and natural scenery provide peace, relaxation, greater psychological resilience, and stimulation of all your senses. No matter what the weather is, get geared up and head outside into nature. Sharpened senses, psychological health, and greater connection to your spirit will all get you out of the rut.

7. Clean the Clutter
Get your energy moving by taking a good look at your environment. Clutter drains your energy and can leave you feeling uninspired. Are your closets stuffed with too many clothes and shoes? Are your kitchen pantry, shelves, and drawers filled with old boxes of food, stacks of unorganized Tupperware, and trashy drawers? Is your office overflowing with piles of magazines, stacks of paper, and unfiled receipts? It’s never easy to start cleaning your clutter. To avoid overwhelm, take fifteen minutes every day to tackle one area. When the time is up, just leave it until the next day. You’ll feel successful and your clutter will be gone in no time at all. Think of all the energy you’ll free up to enjoy life!

8. Redecorate
Give your life a much needed lift by redecorating your living or working space. How about painting the walls a new color? Vibrant colors can leave you feeling invigorated and enthusiastic. Don’t feel like painting? Rearrange the furniture and rotate the pictures on the walls. Rearranging furniture is one of the easiest ways to feel refreshed. Rearranging brings variety, clears energy, and helps you sort things out in your head.

9. Define Fun
It’s a big world out there and there’s so many ways to have fun. And so many definitions of fun. Where do you find fun? Is it being creative, being alone, being in good company, enjoying the fresh air, laughing, going on an adventure, or perhaps trying something new? Write down your list of ideas, activities, and actions that bring the fun back into your life. Then go out and have some fun!

Being stuck in a rut can leave you unmotivated and uninspired. If you find yourself in a rut, use these nine ideas to break free and shine! Simple changes can get you energized, happier, and living life the way you really want to once again. Shining bright then remains your only option.

What are your thoughts on this topic?
How do you keep things fun in your everyday life. Do you have any special ways to get out of those boring comfort zones? Do share your thoughts, comments and way in the comments below.

With Immense Love & Gratitude,
~Zeenat~
Counseling Psychologist/ Spiritual Counselor
Motivational Speaker/Naturopath
Holistic Healer/Writer


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38 thoughts on “9 ways to Get out of your boring comfort zone and SHINE!”

  1. Zeenat, thanks for another great post!

    The best way I know of getting out of a rut is to go for a long walk in one of the many parks of London. It always works for me:-).

    And yes, I am all up for always getting out of my comfort zone and doing something different. I consented to my first ever video interview yesterday. Now I am wondering when to arrange my next one…

    1. Hi Arvind,
      Now aren’t you mr adventurous and fun! Where is this video interview? I have to see it…share mr!
      Going for a walk is one of my ways to break the boredom cycle too.
      Sending you lots of love~

  2. arvinddevalia

    Thanks Zeenat for another inspiring post!

    To get out of a rut, I usually go for a walk in one of the many London park – always works for me:-)

    As for getting out of my comfort zone, I do usually push myself to do something different. Only yesterday, I consented to my first ever video interview and I loved it. Now I can’t wait for the next one…

  3. synchronicitybridge

    Z this post *Shines* of Sibyl…who just happens to be the person I left my last online comment with:

    “If one’s ‘plan’ goes without a hitch just how boring is that…like wake me up…I’m I alive??”

    You got me right in the midst of a but kicking rut today.

    I am going to do your #6.

    A storm is moving in with the wind picking up, so the hike up Cowels Mountain should be very invigorating!

    I’ll get back to ya and let you know how it went a bit later…

  4. synchronicitybridge

    What a *Glorious* hike!

    I found myself being wind-swept up the mountain on the switchbacks that had my back to the south!

    Periodic soft rain… “Soft day thank God” (Irish saying).

    Only thing missing of West Clare was the smell of burning peat in the air, but along the trail I took finger rubbings of sage to smell as a substitution.

    At the summit I watched fog banks of drizzle rain being driven inland and dispersed over different parts of the county…got a light shower at the top.

    It was on the descent that the rain began to really come down.

    I joined up with two nice young woman from the west African country of Togo Nigeria.

    I found myself the reincarnation of John Muir with all the *glorious* gifts of nature being placed before us…we all had a great conversation…with me doing a great deal of the talking (just like Muir).

    At the bottom of the mountain what the three of us all had in common was our drenched clothes,no extra dry ones, and excited happy smiles 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Thank you so much Zeenat for helping to make the rest of my day so memorable!

    At the moment I no longer hear the rain.

    Here is a *Shiny* song everyone:

    1. Hi hugtrip,
      So happy that this article proved be a gentle reminder for you to positively tread forward.
      Thank you for your lovely comment here.
      Much love~

  6. Love this post! Spring is a great time to shake off the old and get out and do something new. With the snow melting and temps feeling great, we’re finally getting out more. It’s all I can do to keep my 2 year old in the house these days. As soon as she hears a door open in the morning, she runs to put on her boots and yells “Outside! Outside!” Once we’re out walking she goes everywhere exploring. Given how she scales the rock formations on our property, I think she’ll be the fearless rock climber in the family (my 5 year old daughter will be the rodeo pro).

    Leave it to our children to keep things fresh for us. As soon as we settle into a routine with them, they change and the routine goes out the window. Thankfully!

    I love the idea of redecorating. We’ve repurposed almost every room in our house a few times in the 12 years we’ve lived here. Bedroom, media room, home office, yoga room. It certainly keeps things fresh!

    And my favorite is, of course, the conscious breath. It’s always there for us to return to and its magical powers can transform us if we allow it.

    Thanks so much for an awesome list and reminder Zeenat!

    1. Darling Paige,
      I love how many of the suggestions I’ve made are already part of your life.
      As for our kids ahh I often say kids are little zen masters and we truly need lessons in fun anf full living from these little geniuses. My little girl is a pirate in the morning, a fairy in the afternoon, a builder and painter by evening and a dentist by night! And that just today..tomorrow the list changes and a whole new level of funnnn begins 🙂
      Thank you for sharing so beautifully sweetie. Loved it!
      Much love~

  7. My favorite way to shake the stagnation off my head is spring clean. Two pronged benefits – clean house, and adrenalin rush. 🙂 Great points, Zeenat!

    1. Dear Vidya,
      Although I love spring cleaning my full schedule barely allows me to do so. But once a week I go on a full on cleaning spree! My hubby literally says I can’t be messed with when I’m in my cleaning zones(not in the good way 😉 )
      See where is thr time to get bored when there is so much fun stuff to do 😉
      Than you for your lovely comment here.
      Much love~

  8. I love the idea of telling your body what a great job it has been doing! So often the world around us is so focused on distracting themselves with changing how we look. It is the same when we believe we need to change who we are! Loving and appreciating ourselves is a step onwards living and appreciatIng other people and giving love to others.
    I enjoyed your blog entry!

    1. Hi katherine!
      Lovely seeing you here.
      You’re so right….when we can love ourself everything and everyone around us is love too. That makes for amazing living without the boredom.
      So glad you liked this article.
      Thank you for your lovely comment here.
      Much love~

  9. Priyanka

    Lovely Zeenat, another quality post! I do try the stuffs you’ve mentioned in your points sometimes to get out of my rut. It really feels refreshed to do things out of the ordinaire.
    loads of love!

    1. Darling Priyanka,
      So nice to read that you’re already living an extraordinary life! Refreshing and happy is the way to live na …
      Thank you for stopping by and sharing your beautiful self here.
      Much love~

    1. Hi Veehcirra,
      I agree nature has an uplifting almost magical effect of our mind and heart…going out and jumping up and down might seem silly,but its oh so fun!
      Hope you play out often.
      Thank you for your lovely comment here.
      Much love~

  11. Great post and list Zeenat. I really love the suggestion to do something new and different. It really is so true that if you want different results, you’ve got to be open to doing things in a way you have not before. Thanks for the gentle 🙂 nudge in the right direction.

    1. Hi Sibyl,
      I’m always happy to positively nudge thee 😉
      Shaking things up a bit can make for tremendous spurts of creativity too.
      Glad you liked this.
      Much love~

  12. Nice. I like ‘do something you’re not doing now.’ One small step would take one out of a rut. Yet so often we resist that one small step!

    1. Hi Tess,
      Youre so right! The resistance is what hold us back from truly shining.
      So glad you liked this article 🙂
      Thank you fro your lovely comment here.
      Much love~

  13. Zeenat….

    What you wrote, ‘The only part of that plan, that actually did work out….”be happy”. Ironically the only reason I became happy was because I let my plan go. Being stuck with plans is really not my thing. If there isnt one new thing added to my ‘today’ as compared to my ‘yesterday’ I know I’m stuck in my boring comfort zone.’. are jewels.

    You are sharing wisdom that can change an individual’s life. As always, you inspire.

    1. Dear Fran,
      Thank you for appreciating my words as you do…
      And well, my mission or life’s purpose is to bring about positive change, so if my words can do that..I’m a satisfied gal 🙂
      Thank you for your loving comment here.
      Much love~

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  15. You’re right, Zeenat. There are many definitions of fun, and the fun thing is we don’t have to let other people define it for us. We can do silly things now and then and just laugh our hearts out doing so! 😉

    1. Hi Jocelyn,
      Its been so long since i saw your pretty face here 🙂 Lovely seeing you here.. 🙂
      Thank you for stopping by and sharing your wonderful thoughts here.
      I do appreciate you so much.
      Much Love~

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  17. Hiten Vyas

    Hi Zeenat,

    I loved the advice in this post! 🙂

    I totally agree that having a good cleanup of our daily environments really can positively irmpact how we feel.

    One thing which I’ve taken up recently is improvisation comedy workshops. I went to one yesterday, and had the opportunity to get up in front of a bunch of people I had never met (some of them professional actors!), and act out characters and try and be funny. It was scary, but I’m so glad I did because of what it did for my confidence.

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  22. Craig Morton

    Hi. I really like how you mention “talk to yourself kindly”. Sadly, the norm is to be brutal with ourselves and going out of that mindset and zone can take us back to a much gentler state. Thanks

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