Getting Out Of Your Sub-Culture Comfort Zone

What ‘scene’ do you fit into? Are you the person who adores music, continually attending events with your friends and always exploring the underground scene? Are you the sportsman, someone who heads from country to country following world tournaments? Are you a film connoscriour, and have seen every single martial arts film from 1965 to now?

We all have our scenes and interests. Some of us might not feel we fit into one subgroup, but somewhat float about them all, able to see the good in many interests but never fully directing ourselves into them. It’s interesting to see how some choose their lives and what they dedicate their lives around. For example, some communities might love expressing themselves through heavy metal music, getting many complex tattoos and body modifications. Others might simply enjoy playing video games, connecting with others around the world through their online experiences.

But no matter what subculture you may or may not fit in – it’s always worthwhile to get out of your cultural comfort zone. Here’s what that might look like, and why this is beneficial in the first place:

Read Books You Wouldn’t Read

When you walk around a bookstore, what do you think? It can be quite fascinating to watch people do this. They gravitate to certain sections of the store, perhaps for a work interest, perhaps for something they are somewhat curious about, and pass over other sections entirely. You may never have browsed the ‘art history’ section because it just didn’t occur to you that this fit with your personality.

You may never have considered reading philosophy, or perhaps have little time for fiction books because you consider them a waste of time. Just this once, consider heading outside of your comfort zone. Read a translated work by an author from another country and culture – such as reading Mishima or Murakami. Perhaps select something from the history section at random. The more you start to read something you aren’t sure of – the more you can practice getting out of your comfort zone, and you’ll realize those sections you ignored were merely ignored out of habit, not through any more impressive reason.

Attend Events

Sometimes, spending time within a certain cultural scene can truly make all the difference to your experience and the end result you find fascinating. For example, attending art fairs can help you connect to hobbyist artists and professionals alike. You may find works that you truly adore, and this might spark that creative light in you that you had ignored for some time prior. Attending events, especially with a friend, can help you discuss and embark on this new experience together.

Sometimes, you don’t truly appreciate something unless you see it within its natural habitat. For example, we may not be that into a musical artist, but attend one of their gigs and you may start to truly see the appeal. Getting out of your cultural comfort zone means quite literally walking out of your comfort zone, which is likely your physical home in this case.

Don’t Be Afraid To Be A Newbie

You may find yourself quite out of sorts if attending a certain event or getting involved in a certain topic. For example, it might be that despite playing hockey or volleyball your entire life, you wish to begin a martial arts practice. This can help you deeply in the future, and could potentially help you become much more physical and flexible than you are now. It might even help you learn more in terms of international culture. However, one thing is holding you back. You’re not entirely skilled or even aware of your options within that martial art. This might make you fearful, and feeling somewhat like a fish out of water.

But is this a problem? Are you a lesser person because of it? Or are you a better person because you’re taking that risk, opening yourself up to new experience, and are willing to let those with more experience than you teach you their ways? Don’t be afraid to be a newbie. Even some of the most accomplished practitioners were at that stage at one point, no matter if you’re awkwardly putting together the pieces of your short story, you’re putting paint to canvas for the first time, or only yesterday you threw your first punch in a sparring session. Over time, you will improve and learn. That’s what it’s all about.

With this advice, you’re certain to get out of your cultural comfort zone.