The comfort zone is that cozy place where we feel the most safe and at ease. It comes in all shapes and sizes, and what brings peace to one person doesn’t always have the same effect on another. Finding the willingness to leave can be just as hard, but it has to be done in order to grow and improve as a person.
Today, we’re kickstarting the journey out of the comfort zone by sharing the most uneasy and strange-looking photos people have posted on the subreddit r/Weird. From creepy ransom notes to real human skull necklaces, these eerie experiences are guaranteed to make you uncomfortable.
While you’re at it, don’t forget to check out a conversation with licensed clinical psychologist Aimee Daramus, Psy.D., and psychologist and author Ashley J. Smith, PhD, who kindly agreed to tell us more about the comfort zone.
#1 If You’re Cat Falls In To Flour (Face First), Do You Think It Is A Good Idea To Call The Local Pastor?
Image credits: Stephen_Is_handsome
#2 The Weird Way The Light Hits My Face. I Have A Moon Face
Image credits: sid_not_vicious
#3 Seen In Oak Harbor Ohio
Image credits: Nickyluvs2cum
The British Heart Foundation has revealed that over half of its nation doesn’t venture outside of their comfort zones, with 45% saying they might regret it in the future. Every second British person admits sticking to the same routine every day, and almost a third can’t remember the last time they tried something challenging or new.
To learn more about our habits and leaving our comfort zones, we reached out to licensed clinical psychologist Aimee Daramus, Psy.D., and psychologist and author Ashley J. Smith, PhD.
#4 When I Come Home After Spending The Night Away, The First Thing I Saw Was My Loft Hatch Half Open
Image credits: b0ggydepot
#5 Man With Radiation Poisoning, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia
Image credits: TheOddityCollector
#6 My Kid Made A Luncheon Mask And I Don't Like It
Image credits: Beetlejuice2013
According to both psychologists, avoiding leaving our safe space can have negative effects on our mental health. “Staying inside your comfort zone reinforces anxiety,” said Smith. “By that, I mean that the more you stay inside your comfort zone, the more you will want to. Stepping or stretching outside your comfort zone will make you feel anxious and uncomfortable.”
#7 Well, Women's Bodies Are Made For Strains During Pregnancy That Might Surprise Those "Experts"
Image credits: SiteTall
#8 This New LEGO Duplo Ad Has A Kid That Looks And Is Dressed Exactly Like Me In The Early 90s Playing With My Duplo Blocks…
Image credits: schants
#9 Two Ticks On A Tick, Which Was On My Cat
Image credits: bitch_let_me_live
Smith also mentions, “Over time, you'll likely find that your comfort zone shrinks and that more things will make you feel uncomfortable. Conversely, stepping outside of your comfort zone helps expand it—you'll get more comfortable with more things, anxiety will go down, and your confidence tends to increase.”
#10 Found In A House I Was Cleaning Out
Image credits: StamplerStache
#11 Letter In The Mail My Mom Received Today
Image credits: The-Real-Iggy
#12 When The Guy You Paid To Renovate Does A Bunch Of Shrooms Before Starting
Image credits: Barsidious_White
Meanwhile, Daramus further explains that many stay in it because leaving often brings up fear, anger, disgust, and other uneasy emotions. In order to make breaking out of their comfort zone easier, she encourages people to keep in mind that “feelings are usually opinions, not facts.” So if doing something makes a person nervous, it’s worth asking if there’s actually any danger in a situation before reacting.
#13 Damn, I Hope This Guy Is Alright
Image credits: FraternityMan
#14 Window Suction Cups Acted As Magnifying Glass And Melted My Pillows
Image credits: Capn_Cooke
#15 I Was Sent An Anonymous 'Gift' To My Home Address (I Just Moved And Didn't Tell Anyone) With My Last Name That I Only Use Privately (I Recently Got Married And Haven't Announced It Yet). The Contents Of This Book Are Opposite To My Views. Amazon Says The Sender Is Fully Anonymous. I'm Creeped Out
Image credits: dontbeadickmrfisher
If an individual has particular things they’re uncomfortable with, Smith says that looking at pictures from this list related to them can help expand their comfort zone. “It's a technique psychologists call exposure, which is essentially facing your fear until you learn that you can handle it. Over time, the fear itself tends to decrease as you get used to it.”
#16 Someones Car
Image credits: Guilty-Table123
#17 High Schoolers In The 70s Looked 30
Image credits: Robloxianxs
#18 I Woke Up With This On My Leg
Image credits: batusao4
According to Daramus, for some, these pictures can be a little intense. Therefore, she recommends they try something less acute. “For example, if you're uncomfortable with dating, try something safer, like a group date with trusted friends, and then ease into more high-pressure situations. When you can, ease into a new situation,” she said.
#19 I Only Get Goosebumps On One Side Of My Body Ever Since I Had Spine Surgery
Image credits: crownedPom
#20 A Mask Found At A Yard Sale
Image credits: meeshyquinn
#21 This Onion Didn't Have Any Rings
Image credits: VivariuM_007
Those who find the strength to leave their comfort zone often reap its benefits. “Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable builds confidence and courage, and is a key to living a bold life,” said Smith.
#22 Saw This On A Cottage Property I Surveyed
Image credits: SageAMunster
#23 This Guy Messaged Me And I Happened To Look At His Bio Gives Me Creeps
Image credits: randomgirlnamedkat
#24 How Did A Crawfish End Up On My Driveway? I Don’t Live Near Any Rivers
Image credits: sandyflopflip
Meanwhile, Daramus believes that leaving it can open so many new opportunities. “There are so many interesting places to go, and interesting people to meet. New skills that you might want to try out. You can't usually be good at something until you go through the phase where you're bad at it, so don't worry if getting out of your comfort zone is difficult at first.”
#25 Not Sure What Their Message Is
Image credits: Jcaseykcsee
#26 These Characters Appeared On My Arm Under A Blacklight
Image credits: justthekip_
#27 A Mask We Found In The Basement Of A Family Member
Image credits: TrinitySins
#28 Found A Single, Chewed-Up Woman’s Shoe In The Middle Of The Desert
Image credits: Jadeyeux
#29 Developed At A 1-Hour Photo In The 90's
Image credits: Slow-Painting-8112
#30 Mark On Leg After Snorkeling In The Caribbean
Image credits: ionyx
#31 Found On Facebook
Image credits: ShadowsGirl9
#32 Are You From The Future?
Image credits: _Triangulum
#33 Two Items From My "Stuff" Drawer Chemically Bonded
Image credits: silver64js
#34 Saw A Post About Goose Bumps After Surgery, Here's The Spot They Temporarily Paralyzed My Nerve For A Lower Leg Surgery. No Hair For Years
Image credits: Zenmetsu-
#35 Come, Sit. Maybe We Can Chit Chat…
Image credits: ObjectiveAd6551
#36 I Found A Bunch Of Dandelions Combined Into One :)
Image credits: loonicorn12
#37 What Is Happening To This Egg?
Image credits: nala_beans
#38 I’ve Been Finding These Tiny Shards Of Glass In My Bedroom For Two Weeks
Image credits: HorrorGamer26
#39 Found On Facebook Marketplace
Image credits: KneemaToad
#40 Got This Weird Text From A Unknown Number
Image credits: z0mbieshift
#41 What Kind Of Nest Is This?
Image credits: Mindless_Cook_9388
#42 Bought This On A Whim
Image credits: Lanky-Peak-2222
#43 Creepy Doll At An Estate Sale
Image credits: jldolan
#44 Any Idea What This Symbolizes? Discovered On Deceased Sibling’s Camera Roll
Image credits: SneakerHead_Sean
#45 My Mom Called Me, She’s Been Dead For 6 Months And Her Phone Number Is No Longer In Use On Her Old Phone
Image credits: Uninspired_Human_
#46 Going Into The Grocery Store And Either Someone Had A Breakthrough, Or A Breakdown
Image credits: StillLearning12358
#47 This Happens Every Time I Come In Contact With Hot Water
Image credits: LittleSausageLinks
#48 I Found This Notecard On The Box To Buzz People In To My Apartment
Image credits: slicehyperfunk
#49 What Does The Hh Stand For? Spotted In Ohiopyle State Park, Pa
Image credits: Pooltoy-Fox-2
#50 What The Hell Is This? My Phone Never Did This Before? Should I Be Worried?
Image credits: LasagnaIsItalianCake
