How to overcome fear and slowly step out of your comfort zone

Hey there! Over here! We see you, and we want you to join in too.

Maybe you’ve shied away from Outward Bound – thinking we might ask you to do something you don’t want to do. Maybe you’re curious about what it’s all about, but you’re scared of being pushed too far outside your comfort zone.

We want you to know that you can fight those fears and master these adventures! When you join us, we’ll help you face things that make you uncomfortable, and you’ll gain amazing, positive personal growth. We give you the tools to build your confidence and bravery that is deep down inside you waiting to be discovered and nurtured.

If fear is stopping you from getting outside of your comfort zone to access that space of adventure, discomfort, and victory, here are some top tips to help. You’ll feel bold in no time!

Start Small

If you’re struggling because you’re worried about making friends, remember that nearly everybody is thinking the same way! It usually takes much longer than a few nights to let go of your social fears. Even after you leave Outward Bound, you will have to keep reminding yourself of the confidence you learned and keep working on your new skills to reach your goals.

You don’t have to jump right in if you believe you aren’t ready yet. Small, easy-to-manage changes can help you build up to your big adventure. You can find easy ways to explore new activities and meet new people in your daily routine – for example, inviting new people to hang out with you at lunchtime, or finding a new after-school hobby. When you decide for yourself to extend your comfort zone and find out more about the world and other people, you’ll gain knowledge and become more compassionate to others – and yourself.

Or go all-in

Outward Bound has provided many young people just like you with a great first step to conquering deep-rooted fears. When you reach our centres, you’ll realise how spontaneous and brave you really are!

Are you tired of being afraid? We’re here to help you leap towards your fear, rather than away from it. When you join our adventures, you’ll see how capable you are of confronting the things that scare you, and in the process, you’ll learn how to tackle future challenges head on

Johanna went through an awkward, shy stage during her teenage years, but eventually found her voice through writing and hasn’t stopped since. She has previously collaborated with sites such as Omega. Discover more of Johanna’s published work here.