10 things to do now that are outside your comfort zone

Do you sometimes think: well, is this it? Do you want to feel more alive? Not to be confused with the fact that you breathe, but that you really LIVE? I know it. I sometimes struggle with it too. You can easily arrange your life so that it is totally comfortable. Not too many new things, not doing things that scare you, and no unexpected challenges. But honestly, such a life is incredibly boring. You feel fine, but also empty inside. In fact, a life full of comfort sucks the life out of you. It's time to dance in the rain, girlfriend. It's time to do scary things, so your heart beats faster, your blood flows faster, giving your confidence a boost and adding just a little extra spice to your life.

Damn, you're stepping out of your comfort zone. And today. This is how.

1. Talk to at least three random people on the street today. It doesn't matter what about, just go for it.

2. Brush your teeth with your ‘wrong’ hand. Turns out it's good for a gray area of your brain that you normally hardly use.

3. Sign up for a course that you normally wouldn't do so quickly. Learn public speaking, twerking, volunteer, spend a day with the Salvation Army, take a pottery class, man, it doesn't matter, it's your party. As long as it's something you never do.

4. Call someone you actually don't call enough. Say ‘I love you’ more often to your family or best friend. You know exactly who you feel it for, but who you express it too little to. You're going to call that person. Today. Extra bonus points if you spontaneously drop by with a bottle of wine.

5. Turn off your phone for 48 hours. Just to check if you still live and if the world is still turning.

6. Take yourself and Remi out to dinner, to the movies, or for a weekend getaway.

7. Say ‘yes’ to the next invitation you would normally say ‘no’ to because ‘it's super scary’.

8. Wake up extremely early for a day to take a walk, feed the ducks, do yoga in the living room, or read a book. Just saying, the most successful people on earth almost all claim to go to bed early and get up between five and six.

9. Watch three movies of an actor you find ‘meh’, listen to a totally different genre on Spotify, or read a biography of someone you actually think is pretty awful.

10. Be brave and overcome a fear. Let a spider walk on your arm. Go in a hot air balloon if you're afraid of heights. Hitchhike to that festival. Go deep-sea diving on vacation. Dare to negotiate prices. Let go of control and trust others.

Step onto a plane alone for the first time. Look, even if it's to London. Interview Orlando Bloom with a trembling corner of your mouth.

I live.

Fuck that comfort zone.