Let me confess something right off the bat: I used to think “getting out of your comfort zone” was a phrase reserved for motivational speakers, mountain climbers, and folks who willingly go on cruises with karaoke night. Me? I liked routine. Comfort. Predictability. I knew what time the mail came. I knew which grocery aisle had my favorite peanut butter. I had my favorite chair, with my favorite blanket, and I sat in it with the precision of a NASA launch schedule. Life was cozy. Safe. But also…maybe a little stagnant. You should consider new ways to leave the comfort zone.
It wasn’t until retirement hit that I realized I had a choice. I could settle into that comfort like a well-worn recliner and never budge—or I could challenge myself in ways that brought surprise, excitement, and yes, the occasional mild panic. And let me tell you: it was worth it. Sometimes it takes some really big changes to even realize what a rut we’re been in!
Here’s the thing I’ve learned about comfort zones. They’re like warm slippers—nice at first, but wear them too long and you forget how to walk properly. That sense of adventure, that spark of curiosity, it doesn’t retire just because you do. It just needs a little coaxing. And maybe a push from the universe, or in my case, from a friend who signed me up for a painting class without asking.
Let’s talk about the science behind this, just so you don’t think I’m making it all up in my old age. Studies have shown that getting out of your comfort zone actually improves brain function. Trying new things stimulates your neurons and keeps your brain flexible—literally. It can boost memory, increase creativity, and help stave off cognitive decline. Basically, stepping outside the routine helps keep you sharper than a steak knife at a hibachi grill. And I don’t know about you, but I’ll take all the brain-boosting I can get.
There’s also a big psychological benefit to shaking things up. According to psychologists, novelty triggers dopamine production. That’s the feel-good chemical that gets a bad rap when it’s tied to smartphones and junk food, but is actually your brain’s way of saying, “Hey, this is fun. Do it again.” So whether it’s learning a new language, traveling somewhere you’ve never been, or finally trying sushi at the age of 67 (yes, it’s raw and yes, it’s weird at first), those experiences feed your emotional well-being in ways routine never could.
But don’t worry, getting out of your comfort zone doesn’t mean you have to go skydiving or climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Frankly, at this stage of my life, the only thing I want to jump out of is a boring conversation. No, it’s about doing things that make you a little nervous. A little unsure. That make your palms sweat, just a tad.
For me, it started small. I took a public speaking class. At first, I was convinced the instructor would ask me to recite Shakespeare or deliver a TED Talk on ancient Roman aqueducts. Instead, I stood up and talked about the time I got stuck in an elevator with a goat. Long story. But I survived. I even got a laugh. And suddenly, I had a new kind of confidence I didn’t know I was missing.
Then I joined a local hiking group. Now, let’s be clear—I am not what you’d call “outdoorsy.” My idea of roughing it used to be forgetting to DVR my favorite show. But there I was, huffing up a trail with folks ten years younger, and guess what? They weren’t judging me. They were encouraging me. And that mountain view at the top? Worth every sore muscle.
What I’ve come to love about pushing myself is that it reminds me I’m still growing. Retirement isn’t the finish line; it’s the starting point for something different. And the comfort zone, as cozy as it is, can sometimes be a little too comfortable. It can lull us into thinking we’ve done it all, seen it all, lived it all. But we haven’t. Not even close.
I’ve met people in their seventies learning how to tango. I’ve met folks in their eighties starting nonprofits, launching blogs, writing books. One friend of mine—bless her bold heart—started taking improv classes just to shake off her fear of embarrassment. And now? She’s hilarious. Unfiltered, slightly inappropriate, and hilarious.
Of course, it’s not always easy. There are days I want nothing more than to stick with what I know. New things can be intimidating. I once signed up for a cooking class and accidentally used sugar instead of salt. The instructor said my risotto tasted like a dessert gone rogue. But you know what? I laughed. I learned. And I went back the next week, determined not to make rice pudding out of dinner.
There are also deeper reasons why getting out of your comfort zone matters—especially in retirement. We’ve lost the structure of a work schedule, the identity of a job title, the daily interaction with colleagues. It’s easy to feel like we’re shrinking into a smaller version of ourselves. But doing new things, even awkwardly, even slowly, helps us reclaim our space in the world. It helps us feel relevant, connected, and alive. New hobbies can get your interest and motivation back quickly.
I’ve found that volunteering is another fantastic way to stretch those comfort zone muscles. Whether it’s mentoring younger folks, helping out at a local shelter, or tutoring kids who think cursive writing is some kind of secret code, giving your time not only helps others—it opens your world up in ways you can’t predict. You meet people you’d never encounter otherwise. You hear stories. You get perspective. And occasionally, you get cookies. I mean, who doesn’t love cookies?
Here’s my advice: start small. Try something new once a week. Say yes to that invitation, even if it’s out of character. Learn something you always said you were “too old” for. Sign up for a class, go to a lecture, join a club, or take a different walking route just to see what’s on the other side of your usual. Don’t worry about being good at it. That’s not the point. The point is to feel a little unsure. A little unsteady. Because that’s where the growth is.
And if anyone tells you you’re too old to try something new, you can politely smile, nod, and then do it anyway. Because the truth is, you’re exactly the right age to surprise yourself. You’ve got wisdom, life experience, and a whole lot of stories to tell. And every time you step outside your comfort zone, you’re adding to that story in the best possible way.
So now, when someone suggests something new—whether it’s travel, a tech gadget, or a dance move that looks like it was invented by someone double-jointed—I try to say yes more often. Not always. I draw the line at bungee jumping. But I’ve realized that the greatest risk isn’t failing. It’s standing still. And I didn’t retire just to sit around watching dust settle.
So, here’s to stepping out of the comfort zone, one bold, awkward, wonderful step at a time. I hope you join me. And if not—well, I’ll be the one waving from the improv stage with a cooking apron on and hiking boots, just in case.
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Happy retirement planning!
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