Choosing Discomfort on Purpose
The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Personal Empowerment & Overcoming Fear with
the Support of Travel
The first time you step off a plane in a country where you don’t speak the language, something shifts. Your phone battery is low, the signs don’t make sense, and perhaps there’s no one to lean on but yourself. It’s uncomfortable. It’s disorienting. And it’s exactly where growth begins.
Travel is inviting for so many reasons—the pull of beautiful places, incredible food, captivating nature, or let’s be honest, the photos. But the greatest gift travel can offer isn’t what ends up on your camera roll. It’s the personal growth that happens when you intentionally step outside your comfort zone. That might look like visiting less-traveled countries, leaving the touristy parts of town (RIP all-inclusive resorts) or taking public transit instead of Ubers.
It requires us to face our fears about places that look different from what we’re used to and to embrace the unfamiliar.
Why Travel Changes Us
These days, I try to live in what I call the stretching zone (which I’ll dive into more below). I’m constantly discovering new things about myself through experiences with different people, cultures, and environments.
For me, the novelty of travel is what lights me up. The more I learn about the world, the more I reflect on myself—and consequently, the more I grow. Travel can be deeply transformational if you allow it to be, helping you pick up pieces that serve you and let go of the ones that don’t. As any business owner will tell you, if you aren’t growing and evolving, you’re dying. The same applies to us as people. Another win for being pro-travel!
There is nothing more empowering than landing in a foreign place and trusting yourself to figure things out. When I can arrive in a chaotic city at dawn, jet-lagged, surrounded by a language I don’t understand, and still find my way—I feel unstoppable. If I can do that, I can do anything.
Choosing Discomfort on Purpose
So what exactly is this stretching zone?
First, it’s important to recognize that fear is valid when traveling somewhere unfamiliar. While some precautions are always necessary—and some places are objectively safer than others—many of our fears come from unfamiliarity. We’re often scared simply because we don’t know what to expect.
The Comfort, Stretch, and Panic Zones
This is where the idea of comfort, stretch, and panic zones comes in.
At the core is the comfort zone: your daily life, hometown, routines, friends, and family. Everything here feels familiar and safe. Just outside of that is the stretch zone. This might look like arriving at a train station in your country you’ve never been to and figuring out where to go. For some, that’s no big deal; for others, it’s mildly uncomfortable. That’s exactly where growth happens.
Beyond that is the panic zone. This is where fear takes over and learning shuts down. While we may find ourselves here occasionally and we can navigate, it’s not where we want to stay. The sweet spot—the place of real growth—is the stretch zone. And within that zone, there is a range we fluctuate within.
Even after more than a decade of travel, this framework is one I still come back to.
A Moment I Totally Panicked
I remember one experience in Berlin, Germany when I was teetering between the stretch and panic zones. I had just landed and was on my way to my hostel on a Friday evening. The trains were packed with people heading out for the night, and everything around me was in German (as to be expected).
Despite having written down directions, maps, and notes in advance, my lack of German made every sign look identical. For anyone who has learned German, I salute you—the words are long and all look the same to an untrained eye. I could feel panic rising. I started worrying that someone would notice my confusion and take advantage.
After a few deep breaths, I found the right train and eventually made it to my hostel. The lesson? You can prepare as much as possible, but there will always be moments you can’t plan for. All you can do is trust yourself to problem-solve. And the more you travel, the more that trust grows.
Building Self-Trust Through Experience
Our comfort zone exists for a reason—it’s familiar, predictable, and safe. But when we step into the stretch zone, we’re seeing things for the first time. This is where self-trust becomes essential. You have to remind yourself that you can figure things out. You can handle new problems. But like any skill, it takes practice.
My recommendation is to start small and teeter into the stretch zone within your normal environment. Go to a new part of town, take a solo road-trip for a night, or introduce yourself to a stranger. As you get accustomed to the feeling of discomfort in trying new things, your comfort zone will evolve. What once felt scary or ‘not for me’ gradually becomes your reality — and your stretching zones shifts in unison.
It is a process, one that is unique to each person, and does not need to be rushed. Aim for the stretch zone, avoid the panic zone when possible (though things do happen), and expect some discomfort along the way. Don’t let fear stop you from reaching new heights. Fear is simply an inconvenience, but can be overcome. Have the courage to face it head on and just wait and see where it will take you. With time and practice, you may not even recognize yourself.
Taking That Confidence With You
Currently on a year-long travel adventure, I’m often told how “brave” or “fearless” I must be to travel alone. That always surprises me, because I meet so many people on the road who are truly fearless. But it has made me realize how closely travel and personal development are connected. The confidence I have now is miles away from where I was one year—or even five years—ago. I’ve shed so many versions of myself since my first big international trip to Thailand over a decade ago.
Travel has shown me that I can navigate the unknown, solve problems, and rely on myself when it matters. That confidence doesn’t stay on the road; it follows me into everyday life. And that, to me, is priceless.
