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Outside my Comfort Zone

Why I see growth as expanding, not abandoning, my comfort zone — honoring my limits and thriving uniquely.

@Tistje
5 min readDec 10, 2024
My comfortzone © Tistje.com

The world loves growth — personal development, big achievements, and leaps into the unknown. Every day, I see messages urging me to “step out of my comfort zone,” as if that’s the only way to grow. But as an autistic person, my comfort zone isn’t a gilded cage to escape from. It’s a sanctuary, carefully built and fiercely protected — a place where I can catch my breath in a world that often feels too chaotic, too loud, and too unpredictable.

For me, growth isn’t about leaving this sanctuary behind. It’s about understanding it, respecting it, and finding ways to expand it gently. It’s about knowing when I’ve reached my limit and giving myself permission to rest. Here’s what my comfort zone means to me, why stepping out of it isn’t always the answer, and how I navigate growth on my own terms.

What My Comfort Zone Means to Me

For most people, the comfort zone is a place of familiarity and ease. For me, it’s much more than that — it’s the foundation of my well-being. It’s where I can exist without constantly feeling overwhelmed.

My comfort zone is built around routines and predictability. I like having the…

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@Tistje
@Tistje

Written by @Tistje

Ervaringswerker autisme / Autistic Advocate / Autism Ambassador

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