Escape your bubble! As we all know, 2020 was a trying year for many as the world faced the Coronavirus Pandemic and entire countries demanded that people remain quarantined in their homes. While being in quarantine left lots of time for Netflix binging, baking crazes, and home workouts, I found myself also taking a lot of time to reflect on my life so far.
I may only be 17 years old, but in 2020 I realized that I have already hit a bit of a roadblock in my life; I’ve become stuck in my bubble.
“Bubble”?
When I say the word bubble, I do not mean the kind that you buy at Walmart and create by blowing a solution through a wand. I mean the bubble that surrounds each of our lives, or rather, the people, places, things, and activities that we consider to be our “normal”.
This bubble is not necessarily a bad thing because it provides us with comfort, a sense of routine, and a home for us to escape from the busyness of the outer world. However, bubbles can become a bad thing when they become a dependency.
When I say that I realized I have become stuck in my bubble, what I really mean is I have become too comfortable. Maybe I had become relatively good at what I did. What I did know is that being in my bubble too long had caused me to stop trying new things because I was afraid to break my routine and risk failure.
That’s why I knew I had to make a change.
Get Out Of the Comfort Zone
If you feel stuck in your bubble, the first thing to do is find something you enjoy that takes you out of your comfort zone. This part of escaping the bubble is the one that is personal and will bring you energy and motivation. My thing was working out. I have always been fairly active, but I have never taken the time to be consistent. So, I did one of the YouTuber Chloe Ting’s 30-day video workout challenges.
It may have been rough at first, but I did it. It was honestly one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. The important thing to remember is to pick something that will make you feel good in the long run. It also needs to be something that is accessible enough to you for you to do consistently. Try starting with a new hobby, daily meditation, or even regularly taking breaks from social media.
Put Yourself Out There
Next, learn how to reach out to others and look for opportunities. Reach out to an old friend. Apply for a part-time job. Sign up for a new class or club at school or your local rec center. Contact a local community service organization and get to work helping others.
By doing something that deviates from or adds to your normal routine, you are learning how to escape your bubble and discover new areas of life. This will also help you learn how to become a self-advocate, and while this sounds scary, it’s much easier than you think. It will feel like a breath of fresh air, or at least it did for me.
Find A Support System
Warning: trying new things can be hard. If you want to escape your bubble, you are going to need some people around you for support. Maybe those people are in your bubble already.
If not, now is a good opportunity to reach out and find them for yourself. While pushing the edges of your comfort zone is completely personal, having the right people there can help you stay focused and on track for reaching your goals.
It Not About Escaping the Bubble as Much as Expanding It
One thing I want to make clear before ending with my goal for pushing myself in 2021 is that I am by no means telling you to completely change yourself or pop your bubble completely. Nor am I saying that this is something that everyone should do.
This advice is for bubble feels like a trap. Time is not going to wait for you. Start trying the things you’ve always wanted to do. If you want to show up for yourself in a new way, you can.
My Goal for 2021
Since I decided to start pushing myself in 2020, I have become a healthier, happier version of myself. But I still have pretty far to go. My goal is to list 10 times that I tried something new or put myself out there.
Trying new food, meeting new people, or adding something to my daily routine is enough for me and my goal. If you would like to join me, then I encourage you to do so! Just remember to set your own limits and go at your own pace.
