Comfort-zone

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Another bright idea comming from my shrink is to get out of my comfort-zone and dare to be a bit more outgoing. How should i understand this concept I cannot stand up and suddenly be outgoing, extravert and spontanious. Has anyone of you, out in cyberspace, dared to tread outside his / her comfort-zone and how? How do you overcome such boundaries?

I like this method, but the idea of it is not to at once be extraverted and whatnot. It is about being a little bit our of your comfort zone at a time. Like make eye contact with 3 people a week, then say Hi to two people you don't know, and so on

Is that what they mean with comfort zone! Little steps, taking your time while you try to open yourself to the outside world. Very difficult indeed. So how do you do that? I cannot just look at someone can i? That would be weird.

Yes, I have been using this concept bit by bit to increase how I socialize.

To answer your question, Yes! You can make eye contact with people as you walk by them, if you notice they make eye contact back, it is 100% OK to say Hi or Hello to them.

And yes, it will seems weird at first, but that's why it's working outside your comfort zone. If saying something is too much, just smile at the people if they make eye contact back.

Try it when you're at the store buying something. Usually the person at the register will talk so try a little small talk there. You can leave when the transaction is completed. Here's how it might go:

Cashier: Hi, how are you doing today?
You: (look up, briefly meet the eyes and smile) Oh pretty good. I tell you what, it sure is hot outside today.
Cashier: You're telling me. I've been trying to stay cool.
You: So have I. The heat has been brutal.
...Cashier finishes transaction...
Cashier: Have a nice day.
You: (look up, smile, briefly meet the eyes) You too!

That's how I started. These are safe conversations that last only as long as a simple transaction.

-Ann-