Break Free: 10 Tips to Take A Risk and Escape Your Comfort Zone

Everybody has a comfort zone, a place where you can drop your mask and just be your authentic unfiltered self. Regardless of whether you are neurotypical or diverse, it’s normal to have a go-to safe space.

Branching out of your comfort zone can help you live a happier life.It can be a favorite physical space or more of a mental “line in the sand.” For most of us, we have both.

However, in order to grow and thrive and live your best possible life, you shouldn’t stay locked inside of your comfort zone forever. It’s good to take a risk and branch out every once in a while; you might crash and burn, but you might also find and meet new people that you’ll enjoy being around. 

That will never happen if you always retreat to your safe space and stay isolated.

For many people with autism, having a rigid routine and sticking to familiar environments is a way to manage anxiety and uncertainty. Experiencing those emotions, often coupled with sensory sensitivities, social awkwardness, and feelings of ostracization, makes it easier to stick with your safe space.

However, while staying tucked away inside your comfort zone may provide short-term relief, in the long run it can be limiting. Expanding your horizons by being open-minded to take a risk and try new things, even if they make you uncomfortable at first, can lead to tremendous growth.

Here are 10 tips for adults on the autism spectrum who want to push past their comfort zone.

  1. Start Small for Leaving Your Comfort Zone

    Don’t try to conquer your biggest fear right away. That’s setting yourself up for frustration. Work your way up to bigger challenges gradually. For example, if social situations are difficult, pick one small goal to start with. This could be saying hello to a stranger, making small talk with the cashier at the store, or asking someone for the time.

    Focus on that one manageable step and reward yourself once you achieve it. Allow yourself to get comfortable with that small step before moving onto something bigger.

    It can be tempting to want to rush into the deep end, but slow and steady expansion of your comfort zone is the healthiest approach. Going too fast can lead to sensory overload, meltdowns, and anxiety.

    Write down a list of small steps you can take ordered from least anxiety-provoking to most anxiety-provoking. Start at the bottom and check off each goal. Moving up the list one baby step at a time will expand your horizons in a sustainable way.

    READ MORE: 8 Ways to Manage Autistic Social Awkwardness

  1. Enlist Support if You Want to Take A Risk and Venture From Your Safe Space

    Tell friends and family about your goal to branch out. Their encouragement can bolster your resolve on days when your fears threaten to hold you back. Ask them to be your cheerleaders and check in on your progress. Knowing people believe in you and want you to succeed is very motivating.

    You may also consider finding an autism mentor who has been in your shoes before. They can give first-hand advice on facing fears and try new situations. Check with local autism advocacy organizations to see if there are mentorship opportunities in your area.

    Joining autism support groups can also provide community as you expand your boundaries. You’ll connect with others working on similar goals who understand the unique challenges you face.

    They may have helpful suggestions based on their own experiences. Plus, if you do experience a sensory overload or meltdown while pushing your boundaries, they won’t judge you.

    READ MORE: Mastering the Art of Calming Down Autism Meltdowns

  1. Seek Professional Help For Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

    If anxiety is paralyzing you from pursuing new experiences, consider scheduling an appointment with a therapist. A professional can help you unpack your fears and design an incremental plan to overcome them.

    Therapy provides a judgement-free space to confess vulnerabilities and develop strategies for personal growth. A therapist can also teach coping mechanisms like mindfulness exercises to utilize when you start feeling overwhelmed by new situations.

    Sometimes medication may be warranted if anxiety is severe. A psychiatrist can evaluate whether anti-anxiety medication makes sense for your situation. There are also medications specifically designed to help with social anxiety.

    Though medication alone is unlikely to solve your problems, it can be a helpful part of your self-improvement toolkit. As always, be sure to check with your doctor and therapist when considering making changes in your life.

    READ MORE: Break Free From These 7 Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms

  1. Reward Yourself When You Take a Risk and Try New Things

    Reward yourself for taking a risk and trying something new.After trying something new or achieving a goal outside your comfort zone, be sure to celebrate! Rewarding yourself for acts of courage helps motivate you to keep making progress.

    The rewards can be small treats like watching your favorite movie, going out for ice cream, playing a video game, or buying yourself something special. Or plan a larger reward like a fun day trip or activity as a prize for completing a major goal.

    Setting up a reward system gives you positive reinforcement and a sense of anticipation that makes challenging yourself much easier. Starting with the end goal in mind helps focus your energy.

    Remember, even small steps forward deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated. Give yourself credit for any bit of bravery or progress.

    READ MORE: 14 Practical Ways for Staying Motivated to Unlock Full Potential

  1. Proceed With Caution When Venturing Out of Comfort Zone

    It’s wonderful to seek growth by facing fears and embracing new things. However, you always want to carefully listen to your body and respect your limits.

    Pushing too far too fast can lead to sensory overload, burnout, meltdowns, and feeling emotionally overwhelmed. Don’t force yourself to endure situations that are clearly causing severe distress. You know yourself and your capacities best.

    If a new situation is causing unmanageable stress, give yourself permission to take a break or retreat. Take deep breaths and do whatever you need to calm down. Sometimes abruptly leaving an anxiety-inducing place or event is perfectly okay.

    You can always try again later after more preparation. Don’t beat yourself up or see it as a failure. Listen to your intuition, rest, and return to the challenge when you’re ready.

    READ MORE: 8 Stress Busters to Conquer Autism Stress With Proven Strategies

  1. Focus on Progress Over Perfection When Leaving Your Safe Space

    Expanding your comfort zone tends to feel awkward and uncomfortable at first. You’ll likely make some missteps as you try new behaviors and scenarios. That’s completely normal.

    Social anxiety and sensory sensitivities don’t magically disappear overnight. Be patient with the process and focus on celebrating each small step forward rather than demanding perfection.

    If progress feels slow and you get discouraged, look back at how far you’ve come. Even if growth feels incremental, gradual success builds up with time. If you never challenge yourself, you’ll stay exactly the same.

    But pushing your boundaries, even if it’s uncomfortable, lets you gain skills and tolerance. Appreciate each bit of progress and trust that your comfort zone will continue expanding at the right pace.

    READ MORE: 10 Proven Techniques for Managing Autism and Sensory Issues

  2. Find Healthy Escapes for Extending Your Comfort Zone

    When venturing outside your comfort zone becomes exhausting, have some healthy escapes planned so you can recharge.

    This might be shutting yourself in a quiet room at home, listening to music, taking a nature walk, playing with a favorite toy or stimming object, or doing yoga.

    Celebrate getting out of your safe space and trying something different.Build in time for these calming activities so you have something to look forward to during the discomfort of growth.

    Escapist activities like video games can be great in moderation. But beware of using them to completely avoid challenges and real life.

    You want to strike the right balance between expanding your boundaries and taking refuge when you’re drained. If at any point escaping starts to prevent growth, it’s time to cut back and refocus.

    READ MORE: Video Gaming Fun Can Build Social Skills for Autistics

  3. See Progress As Rehearsal for Branching Out of Your Safe Space

    Approach new situations as practice and rehearsal rather than demanding perfection from day one. Mistakes and awkwardness are part of the learning process of breaking out of your comfort zone.

    The more you rehearse something, the more polished and natural you’ll become. Be patient with yourself. Focus on getting incrementally more comfortable with each exposure rather than judging your performance.

    This framing takes pressure off so you can relax and become willing to experiment. Setting the bar too high early on causes anxiety that hinders growth.

    But looking at it as practice lets you take risks and laugh off stumbles knowing you’ll gain skill with time. Every new experience expands your repertoire.

    READ MORE: Sensory Integration Dysfunction? A Sensory Diet Can Change Your Life

  1. Take A Risk and Lean On Special Interests

    Is there a special interest or beloved hobby you want to expand into social experiences? For example, if you love birds, look for bird watching groups. If sci-fi is your jam, join fans at conventions.

    Locate groups or clubs that share your passion. Special interests are natural conversation starters that make socialization easier and more fun.

    Turning something you already love into a shared activity with others helps make branching out less intimidating. You instantly have something in common to discuss without struggling to make small talk. Allow your zeal for your favorite topic to draw you out of isolation.

    READ MORE: Knocking Down the Stigma to Autism Obsession

  2. Appreciate Your Unique Perspectives as You Edge Out of Your Safe Space

    Your special interests and unique ways of thinking also give you one-of-a-kind perspectives to offer. The world needs your original insights even if they’re outside the mainstream.

    Lean into your diverse viewpoints and share them with others. The differences that feel alienating can become your strengths.

    The places your passions lead you and the unconventional ideas you generate are what make you stand out. Offer your special contributions without apology. The courage to be unapologetically yourself will take you places sticking to your comfort zone never could.

    READ MORE: Learn How to Love Yourself – Autism Self-Care Ideas

The World Beyond Your Comfort Zone

Take a risk and venture outside of your safe space!Stepping outside your safe space requires courage, tenacity and self-compassion. But the personal growth you’ll experience when you take a risk and venture beyond your walls makes it worthwhile. Look how much you’ll gain by facing fears and embracing new challenges: confidence, self-esteem, life skills, career opportunities, friendships, independence, and incredible memories.

Staying rigid and risk-averse to avoid anxiety prevents you from discovering your true potential. There is a rich, fulfilling life waiting outside your comfort zone. With the right preparation and support, you can claim it one baby step at a time.

It won’t always be easy, but real change seldom is. You have reserves of inner strength you have yet to tap into. Let this be the year you start boldly expanding your horizons.

Branching out of your comfort zone means not being afraid of change, and it’s just the way to living a better life.

I know it can be scary but it can also be incredibly exciting because change brings new opportunities and new joys that you would never had thought possible before. There is nothing wrong with having a comfort zone, but if you stay stuck in it forever you could miss out on the best experiences life has to offer.

Additional Challenges Individuals with Autism Face

Learn more about other issues that autistics face:

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Connor McClure

I'm a young adult navigating life with autism. By sharing my experiences and views, I hope to create a better awareness, understanding, and compassion for those on the spectrum. Let's connect!
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