I’ve heard the maxim ‘get out of your comfort zone’ more times than I can count. And it never fails to piss me off.

It usually conjures up images of skydiving or some other extreme sport, and as a lazy homebody, I can’t help but get my back up whenever I hear it.

After all, why would I want to leave my comfort zone? This carefully curated place that is safe and unsurprising and… uninspiring.

I hate to say it, but comfort zones are boring. Staying put makes you think the world is one way, there is nothing else to learn, so what’s the point in trying?

And that’s a scary place to be.

While getting out of your comfort zone can apply to all areas of life, I specifically want to talk about art today and how that plays a huge role in how we see the world and, ultimately, how we see ourselves.

Daily Dose Of Art

Much like how the phrase ‘get out of your comfort zone’ conjures up images of safety supports and great heights, the word art has a similar narrow definition in my mind.

The first thing I picture is a stuffy art gallery, with rope balustrades and a revered quiet as we all soak in the ‘culture’. And while fun can be found in an art gallery, this is such a narrow definition of the whole concept of art that it throws me off.

Art comes in so many forms, and we interact with it every day.

Music, poems, books, drawings. Hell, the sunset, a cloudy sky, a kid singing. Daily life is full of artistic opportunities that we may have become numb to.

This is where I want to bring us back to comfort zones and how that applies to art.

Let’s use music as an example.

One of the easiest ways to bring art into your life is through music. Whether you listen on your commute, sing in the shower, or have the radio on in the office, most people have access to music every day.

Because it is likely such an integral part of your routine, you may not even notice it’s there. This will happen to anything if you get caught in patterns and do the same thing over and over.

Now, I am a major repeat listener. I have the artists, albums and songs I like and will play them over and over again without shame. If I put music on, I’ll likely turn to one of the several comfort albums I have, either of working-class boys singing about drinking, emo throwbacks, or Taylor Swift.

Yes, I’m a millennial. We’ve been over this.

Anyway, while I think music is one of the most powerful tools in the world for motivation, creativity and inspiration, I’m essentially holding myself back by getting caught in these patterns.

I’m a repeater in all areas of my life, not just with music. From meals to books to outfits, I stay in the same little cycle (comfort zone), and most of the time it suits me well.

But getting out there? Man, it annoyingly feels good.

Reigniting Inspiration

I’m focusing on music because it is the way I’ve most recently gotten out of my comfort zone, but this topic applies to all art – especially that which we experience on a daily basis. The movies you watch and the books you read are just as important here.

I’ve discovered that something as simple as listening to a new album, whether it was recommended by a friend, is currently in the charts, or has just caught your interest, can do so much for your attitude.

Opening yourself up, whether that’s to a new song, band, or album, reminds you that there is so much more out there.

Because, my goodness, it can be boring, being a human. Boring is a good day with all the stress and mess going on in the world right now! But that doesn’t mean we have to stay there.

If something as simple as experiencing a new artist, a new style of thought or opinion can open you up, why deny yourself?

I am currently going through the backlog of a band that is new to me, and it’s so exciting! I’m learning new things, getting inspired by ideas, and adding more enjoyment to my days through this simple action.

I’m getting a chance to think about new things and see myself in a new light. I always thought I wouldn’t be into this kind of music or that this band was for people unlike me, but turns out I’m wrong. It’s great being wrong about yourself, especially when you’re so tied down to an identity.

Being wrong and experiencing something new is a way to remind you that things are always in motion. While you may feel stuck now, it won’t always be this way. You won’t always be this way. Change is hard and scary and annoying, at times, but it’s also a relief.

Trying something I never thought I’d like (which can be as simple as putting on a new album) reminds me that there’s more out there, to myself and the world at large.

There’s More To It

Even if the new art doesn’t necessarily inspire you or motivate you, it will make things interesting again, and we all want that.

This post is basically my plea for you to diversify your art. Diverify the content you see every day, even if it’s only by one album, one book or an online essay.

Try something new. It doesn’t have to be life-changing or dramatic, but give yourself a chance to get that spark back and remember how big the world is.

There’s so much out there. And it’s available to you, my friend, through the magic of Spotify and some mobile data.

Speak soon,

Rachael

Photo by Jakob Rosen on Unsplash