Why Your Comfort Zone Is Holding You Back

I’ll never forget something one of my yoga teachers shared with the class whilst we were all laid in Savasana. She told us her grandfather always used to say, “The comfort zone is the kiss of death.”

Reading time: 4 minutes

Little quotes like that don’t usually stick with me, at least not word-for-word. But this one did, and it’s something I’ve found myself repeating to others ever since.

I remind myself of those words whenever I feel that all-too-familiar twinge of anxiety when making a big life decision. Whether that’s trying something new, letting go of something old, or simply stepping into the scary unknown. Yes, the comfort zone might feel nice, but it can also hold you back.

Let’s not deny it, the comfort zone is lovely. It's warm, familiar, and free of risk. You know exactly what to expect. There’s no ugly surprises. But that’s also the problem. It’s predictable. And nothing truly exciting or life-changing happens in predictable places, does it?

Sometimes life gives us no choice but to leave the comfort zone, like when we lose a job or someone we love. One day everything feels normal, and the next, the rug’s been pulled from under your feet. But then there are those other times, the moments when deep down you know something needs to change.

Maybe you’re in a job that drains you. It’s not terrible, but it’s not fulfilling either. You know there’s more out there, but what if the next role is worse? What if you try and fail? Or maybe you're in a relationship that’s safe but not truly loving, and the idea of untangling your life (the flat, the shared dog, the familiar routines) feels too overwhelming to face.

So you stay. Because staying is easier.

Staying still is not the same as staying safe

We often mistake stillness for safety. But let’s think about that a little deeper. Stagnant water doesn’t stay clear and calm, it becomes smelly and murky. The same applies to us. We are meant to keep growing. To keep moving. Evolving.

If the earth stopped spinning, life wouldn’t just pause, it would cease. If the oceans stopped moving, they’d become lifeless. If our hearts stopped beating… you get the point.

Growth comes from motion. From change. From doing the thing that scares you just enough to mean something. That’s not to say we always need to be doing more. But if you're feeling stuck or uninspired - it could be a sign that you've outgrown the version of you that belongs in that comfort zone.

5 Small Steps to Break Free from your Comfort Zone

If you’re ready to stretch beyond what feels safe but don’t know where to begin, here are a few gentle nudges to get you started.

1. Start small

You don’t need to overhaul your whole life. You don’t have to quit your job or book a one-way flight to Thailand (unless that feels right). Big change starts with small, consistent steps. It could be as simple as trying a new hobby, speaking up in a meeting, or saying yes to an invite you’d usually avoid. Start with something manageable, then build from there.

2. Feel the fear, and do it anyway

Discomfort doesn’t mean something’s wrong. It often means something important is shifting. Let that queasy, uncertain feeling remind you that you’re growing. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” It’s a cliché for a reason. Every time you push through the nerves, you realise that you’re braver than you think. And that scary thing? It isn’t so scary after all.

3. Reframe your inner dialogue

Fear often pipes up with, “What if it goes wrong?” But what if it goes right? Or more importantly, what if you stay the same? Instead of focusing on how hard it might feel tomorrow, imagine how proud your future self could feel in a year’s time. You’re in control of what lies ahead. Reframe your fear, and reclaim your future.

4. Anchor into your ‘why’

When doubt starts shouting louder than courage, come back to your reason for starting. What are you hoping to change or create? What’s waiting on the other side of your fear? Write it down. Stick it to your fridge. Pin it to your noticeboard. Tattoo it on your forehead (okay, maybe not). Repeat it like a mantra. Keeping your ‘why’ close helps hush the excuses when they inevitably show up.

5. Celebrate your courage (not just your results)

Taking a chance is always worth celebrating, even if things don’t go to plan. Maybe you launched a side hustle and it flopped. Or you messaged an old friend and got nothing but two green ticks. The outcome matters less than the fact that you tried. That’s where growth lives. And you should be so proud of yourself for showing up.

At the end of the day, the comfort zone isn’t a bad place. It’s just not where anything extraordinary happens. So if you’ve been feeling that pull, maybe it’s time to listen to your gut and take that leap. Let go of the familiar and make space for something more.