The human concept of boundaries is similar to Glinda the Good from the Wizard of Oz universe. We travel around in a glossy bubble, going through experiences while feeling safe within those parameters. Although our bubbles are invisible, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t there. We all shift through life inside an effervescent orb, allowing it to limit our actions and choices. The considerable difference between Glinda and us is that she can pop her bubble on command. Is this possible for us to achieve?

Our comfort zone is commonly referred to as a sphere, or bubble, that encapsulates our character and behaviors. This theoretical globe acts as our safe space. It contains everything we are comfortable with saying, trying, acting upon, and experiencing. These boundaries that we set for ourselves are exactly what dictate people’s personalities, therefore determining future developments. Everyone has a bubble, but some are roomier and more flexible than others. 

In the real world, our bubbles are much sturdier than Glinda’s. Hers could be popped with the tap of a wand, but ours operate differently. It’s not possible to burst your bubble of boundaries and be completely free of uncertainty and fear. However, it is possible to expand it. Increasing your inner bubble means extending your comfort zone, leading to more willingness to attempt new and unfamiliar experiences. When you strive to do something out of your usual comfort zone, you aren’t leaving the bubble, but rather letting it grow.

How do we begin to expand this bubble? Adding a new section to your comfort zone requires a strong desire for personal progression and the ability to withstand discomfort for a small period of time. To become comfortable, we need to get uncomfortable. Of course, this does not apply to dangerous situations, though in order to expand our boundaries, we have to step across that initial line we drew for ourselves. Participating in any activities deemed out of your comfort zone won’t feel pleasant at first. According to one’s preference, there are two ways to approach this process to make it easier. You can either test the waters step by step, slowly easing in your comfortability, or you can cannon-ball in, enduring it all at once but adapting quickly. The method you choose is based on your own preference and self-perseverance. 

Before we jump in (or slowly step in, your choice!), I'd like to add my two cents. When it comes to being unsure about a decision or activity, I like to live by both the mottos, “You never know unless you try,” and, “Try everything once.” This can apply to something as trivial as tasting a new food. You will never know if you like cheesecake unless you at least try it once. And who knows? Maybe you’ll really enjoy it. Maybe cheesecake will become your new favorite dessert. But you would’ve never known unless you took that leap to taste it for the first time. Not everything you try will be as inconsequential as cheesecake, but the steps of growth remain the same. 

It’s best to follow along with a discomforting goal in mind. Think of all the things you’ve wanted to try, but were too scared or anxious to. Think of that spin class you’ve been meaning to attend. Or, the desire to appear at a crowded house party. Or, running that 5K your family always participates in. Or, singing that choir solo, giving a public lecture on a topic you’re passionate about, going scuba diving through coral reefs, joining a local band that gets steady gigs. Pick where you want to increase your comfort zone towards, and keep it at the forefront of your mind throughout the article.

Slow and Steady

For those who prefer a slower, methodical approach when implementing big changes, this process is for you. Expanding the perimeter of your bubble doesn’t come easy, which is why taking smaller steps can be more productive and durable when incorporating something new into a routine. 

Most of you reading this article have a goal that you would like to reach that lies outside your comfort zone. It’s best to first observe this situation at hand, then divide it into manageable steps. Think of your problem like an uncut sushi roll. Whip out that sashimi blade and chop the problem up into digestible pieces. It’s best to only eat one piece of sushi at a time, right? So, make these steps perfectly bite-sized. 

Together, let’s work through an example scenario with a fictional person: Jamie wants to begin working out at the gym. Like many people, Jamie recently feels inspired to focus on their fitness and has concluded that they want to buy a gym membership and begin a weekly exercise routine. However, Jamie has never been to a gym before. Working out in an unfamiliar, shared space like a gym seems incredibly daunting. How would they know where to begin? What if they embarrass themselves? The mission to train in a public gym feels almost impossible to achieve. 

While looking at the big picture, the task on its own is too immense. Slicing up the pathway to the gym, however, can make this goal achievable at a higher comfort rate. Think of the goal like a scale: on the left side is Jamie’s current state (“never been to a gym”), and the right side is the ideal end result (“working out at the gym”). With this being a scale, we must imagine the in-between stops that lead point A to point B. 

So, what’s the next move? Jamie’s never been to a gym, so what’s the first step to begin working out? Jamie needs to work on familiarity. The best course of action to build up familiarity is for Jamie to build knowledge on the gym and workout routines without stepping foot in the gym themselves. This can be done by watching videos of individuals introducing their own routines with different machines and exercises, reading articles associated with fitness in the gym, or consulting a friend who regularly goes to the gym. Whatever Jamie can do that allows them to see the insides of a gym, understand equipment, and observe possible workouts is the best first step. And this can all be done without stepping foot in the actual facility!

After Jamie begins understanding what the inside of a gym is like, what goes on in a gym, and what the gym members wear and do, the next step can be taken. Now, Jamie can work on preparedness. Even though Jamie isn’t going to the gym just yet, they can start prepping for the action of going to the gym by planning routines and obtaining any equipment or accessories they may need. For this specific scenario, this may include writing out a starter routine, trying on and buying workout outfits they feel comfortable in, investing in various gear that will support a good routine (a beginners yoga mat, a small gym bag, a water bottle, etc.), and gathering extra products to aid muscle growth (such as protein smoothie recipes and healthy snacks). Once everything needed is acquired, anything similar to the excuse of “but I don’t own one” becomes invalid. If you have everything you need, you are one step closer.

With all these new gym items and a designated workout, Jamie can now move on to getting practice. Mimicking the actions that will be done at the gym in the future is a good way to build up confidence before performing it for real. By taking the routine that Jamie wrote down before, they can practice these moves in the comfort of their own home. This can be attempting some stretching and yoga poses, practicing weight movements without the dumbbells (such as getting the form for a Russian Dead Lift down), or even taking brisk walks to introduce motion. If Jamie practices these exercises beforehand, they will feel confident in their movements at the gym and are less likely to feel self-conscious or embarrassed, resulting in them leaving before reaching their goal. 

It’s time for official exposure. After completing all these steps, you must now begin exposing yourself to the environment where your goal lies. In this scenario, Jamie should be exposing themself to the gym. Without the pressure of exercising and exploring a gym for the first time, Jamie might ask to get a guided tour of the gym first from the front desk. This would allow Jamie to get the lay of the land in a more comfortable way. After this, Jamie may even go to the gym a couple times without working out, but just to walk around and observe the different machines offered, where equipment is located, and what exercises other members are integrating in their own routines. Being in this new environment is scary enough, so it helps to remove the stress of working out and to instead familiarize before beginning.

Finally, Jamie is ready to go to the gym. But to alleviate this final step, Jamie can seek out support. Finding assistance in this case can be Jamie signing up and trying out a group class with other beginners, hiring a personal trainer for guidance, or even going to the gym with a buddy. Executing activities with others greatly diminishes stress and boosts resilience, making the action of carrying out these new experiences even easier.(1) You don’t always have to tough things alone, so why not bring a support system along? 

After Jamie works out in the gym a few times, they become more and more comfortable and even feel good enough to commute by themselves regularly. It’s no secret that the more you do something, the more comfortable you become. This gym scenario was broken down into five steps, but your own situation may only include 3 or 4 of these. It entirely depends on what you are working towards. Just by disassembling a scary goal, you can begin training yourself to expand your bubble and start doing the things you truly want to do. 

Jumping In

On the other hand, if you are someone who wants fast results, diving into the deep end head-first isn’t a bad method in the least. In fact, the shock of it may even alleviate your fear and discomfort. 

How can you force yourself to jump right into these new scenarios? There are a couple different techniques you can implement that will help with this transition. The two approaches both require a great leap of bravery: the “pretend” method and the “yes man” method. 

The pretend method requires you to enter a situation while mentally embodying a different, less fearful version of yourself. In a way, this can be described as “acting,” but we still want to be ourselves as much as possible. The way this technique works is by enveloping the characteristics and courage of your “confident” self until it becomes real, much like the common saying, “Fake it until you make it.” It’s not unlike dressing up on Halloween; you slip into this character for the night, and since it isn’t technically “you,” you may feel bolder. The phenomenon of obtaining an absurd amount of confidence while wearing a costume isn’t just a minor experience but a theory known as enclothed cognition.(2) When one slips into a uniform that doesn’t identify with their usual persona, their personality shifts as daily responsibilities and roles briefly melt away. In this case, you will be “dressing up” as the version of you who relishes parties, the version of you who embraces public speaking, or the version of you who is an expert biker. 

When you enter a scenario, nobody knows you are putting on this theoretical costume but you. To others, this persona is the correct version of yourself. If you need to walk into a business event evoking confidence, then visualize yourself as that daring version and play it as if it were a part in a screenplay. Bringing back the term enclothed cognition, the easiest way to melt into this newfound identity is to both dress and act the part. Changing into suitable garments that match the specific instance attempting to be overcome (such as formalwear at a business event, workout gear for sporting activities, smart-casual attire for an upcoming date) greatly improves your confidence levels as you begin embracing this blooming version of yourself. To take it a step further, practice and implement “power poses” into your physicality. These body language poses include maintaining direct eye contact, standing up straight with shoulders back, minimal fidgeting, and feet planted on the ground. If you act like you’re confident, then you will begin to feel confident.(3)

The other technique for jumping into the outskirts of the comfort zone is by becoming a “yes man,” a reference to the Jim Carrey movie Yes Man. In this film, Carrey’s character is encouraged to say “yes” to every opportunity he comes across, sending him on many crazy adventures. Although this method works better in a general sense rather than overcoming a specific objective, it’s a fantastic way to speed-run expanding your comfort zone. 

I can personally attest to this method, too. After the end of a long-term relationship, I needed time to rediscover who I was as an individual. Relearning to appreciate the small things in life and to find happiness in the tiniest crevices was difficult at first, but came more and more easily. My biggest decision during this era was saying “yes” to absolutely everything (that wasn’t harmful, that is). This strategy created some of my favorite memories, even as I plunged into situations I was unsure of or unfamiliar with. It felt extraordinarily freeing as I began breaking boundary after boundary. I no longer felt constrained to my usual behaviors or routines. 

Saying “yes” to new experiences broadens that comfort bubble on the spot as you willingly trudge through uncharted waters. It can be scary at first, but remember that every adventure you go on influences the person you are today. Don’t be afraid to try.

Our bubbles are both limitations and safe spaces that constitute the personality we portray and live by. It’s important to have a healthy balance within your circle; you want to have distinct boundaries, but you should also have plenty of room to partake in your wants and desires without fear. We are not confined to the limitations we have placed on ourselves. Just as we placed them there, these parameters can be shifted around to benefit ourselves as we continue to grow. Allow yourself to expand and outreach. Extend upon your comfort zone. Nothing is outside the limits of your bubble!

Exercises

Leap into a broadened life through these additional exercises that expand upon the techniques mentioned in the article:

• Practice makes perfect. When overcoming a new boundary, such as making a public speech or biking a marathon, familiarize yourself with the activity by practicing it for 20 minutes a day until the “event date.” Set a timer, put your phone away, and give this activity your undivided attention for those full 20 minutes. The more you practice, the easier it’ll become when the real deal comes around.

• Grab a buddy. Unsure about attending your first 21+ club or tryouts for soccer? We tend to perform better when we have support around, so bring a friend to tag along, or even just to drop you off with some encouragement. Exposure to an ally can go a long way.

• Set a “Plan B.” It’s better to go into this experience believing it’ll all be okay, but just in case it doesn’t work out, create a “Plan B” before it happens. Have an appointed backup regarding how you’ll leave/get out of the event. Set a designated contact to call if you need help or support. Know how you are going to say “no” in an emergency. Try your absolute best, but having a backup plan can help keep your nerves at ease.

• Let’s play dress up. To prepare for this new occasion, pick out the outfit you’ll wear and practice walking around and talking in it. Simply familiarizing with the clothing you’ll wear can make you feel more confident when the moment comes true.

Works Cited

1. Løseth GE, Eikemo M, Trøstheim M, Meier IM, Bjørnstad H, Asratian A, et al. Stress recovery with social support: A dyadic stress and support task. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2022 Dec;146:105949. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105949 PubMed PMID: 36240542. 

2. Adam H, Galinsky AD. Enclothed cognition. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. 2012 Jul;48(4):918–25. doi:10.1016/j.jesp.2012.02.008 

3. Clear J. How to Be Confident and Reduce Stress in 2 Minutes Per Day. James Clear [Internet]. 2013 Jul 25 [cited 2026 Jul 4]. Available from: https://jamesclear.com/body-language-how-to-be-confident 

Credits

Editor: Piper Ruth

Research Consultant: Emmerson Borthwick

Illustrator: Aiden Lawton

**The Beamish Club does not offer professional medical advice, treatments, nor diagnosis. Anything written and published by The Beamish Club is not a direct replacement for medical treatment. If you have health concerns, please seek advice from your local health and mental health professionals for treatment plans.**