How to learn from new experiences

New experiences and hard experiences can be painful and challenging. But the truth is, if you stay in your comfort zone and never try new things, you won’t grow as a person. Emotional and personal growth is very valuable, but it’s often a tough experience. Here are ways you can take new experiences and learn and grow from them. 

Treat yourself

If you’re trying to talk yourself into trying something new or planning to broaden your horizons in some way, the idea might leave you anxious. Sometimes, even when you really don’t want to do something, you have to. In these situations, promise yourself a reward for going through the challenge. 

A reward can be anything that makes you feel good. Whether it’s purchasing yourself a new piece of clothing or going on a Caribbean cruise, give yourself something to look forward to at the end of a challenging experience. The reward doesn’t even have to be tangible. It can be simply giving yourself three days at home alone to decompress after navigating challenging and new social situations. It just has to feel right to you, so you look forward to it after something that taxes you physically or mentally. 

Don’t be afraid of growing from experiences

Don’t be afraid of that physical or mental exhaustion that comes with new experiences either. Some people experience this feeling as a form of pain. Take the time to experience these feelings, let them pass and keep pushing forward.  

Realize that painful experiences and new experiences make you stronger. Trust yourself as you navigate them. Furthermore, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Sometimes talking about your experiences, whether to a therapist or to a friend, can bring perspective and make them less scary. 

Go with the flow

As you try new things, they may not go the way you want. Plans might change, conflict might be created, or you might experience change in your life or upset of your daily routine. These experiences will challenge you, but you can handle them. 

It’s a lot easier to embrace these experiences if you go with the flow. If something doesn’t go right and it’s got you feeling anxious, try taking ten deep breaths. Inhale for ten seconds, hold your breath for three seconds, exhale for ten seconds and then hold for three more seconds. Breathing will calm your racing heart and mind. 

Be positive

Another good strategy is to look at the positive. If you’re stuck at the airport because of a canceled or delayed flight, instead of being stressed, focus on finishing a book or finishing a work project. There’s nothing you can do in situations that are out of your control but experience them. How you react in the moment will determine how you feel after they’re over. 

Rely on your past experiences 

If you’re hesitant about something like going on a vacation by yourself or hanging out with a new group of people, think about how you felt in the past after you tried something similar. Use that to encourage you to try this new thing. They say experience is the best teacher, after all.

A lot of times, you feel really good once a hard experience is over, even if it didn’t go as planned. Coming out on the other side of emotional and personal growth gives a feeling of accomplishment. Remember the promise of this feeling as you try something new. 

Set boundaries

If a friend is trying to convince you to try something new, and you’re not sure you want to, don’t be afraid to set boundaries. This could mean going on a new outing, but driving your own car, so you can leave if you need to. A lot of times, having an escape plan in mind makes us feel as if we have more control and makes it easier to move forward with something new.

Get out there and try new things! You’ll learn and grow, even if it’s hard!