How to explore new genres without leaving your comfort zone…….Okay, so confession: I’m a creature of habit. Like, embarrassing levels. I have ordered the exact same thing from Chipotle for the past 7 years. (White rice, chicken, mild salsa, corn, cheese. No guac. Don’t come at me.) And when it comes to books, movies, or even music? Same story. I used to tell myself, “I just know what I like.” Which is basically a fancy excuse for being lazy about trying new things.
But the other day I caught myself Googling “how to explore new genres without leaving your comfort zone” because honestly, I want the thrill of discovering something new… without the horror of wasting 12 hours on a show that makes me want to gouge my eyes out (looking at you, that one vampire spinoff that shall not be named).
So here’s what I’ve figured out—through a lot of trial, error, and accidentally watching half a Korean drama because the autoplay betrayed me at 2am.
Why Trying New Genres Feels Like Skydiving (But Without the Cool Jumpsuit)
You know that feeling when you’re standing in front of a Netflix menu, scrolling endlessly, paralyzed by choice? It’s not that we don’t want new genres—it’s that new genres feel… risky. Like what if I pick up a fantasy novel and it’s just 400 pages of confusing maps and sword names? What if I try sci-fi and suddenly I’m knee-deep in wormhole physics I don’t understand?
I mean, trying something new sounds exciting until you remember you’re tired, your snacks are already open, and your comfort show (The Office, Friends, or honestly for me lately it’s Parks & Rec) is right there whispering: “You could just rewatch me for the 8th time.”
My Accidental Genre-Hopping Story
Back in college, I was strictly a rom-com girl. Like, give me Meg Ryan in the 90s or give me nothing. But then I had this roommate—let’s call her Amanda because that was her actual name—who loved horror movies. And one night she bribed me with pizza to watch The Conjuring.
I was terrified. I literally watched 30% of the movie through a blanket. But… here’s the thing: the adrenaline rush? Kinda fun. And it turned into this weird bonding ritual where every Friday night we’d watch horror movies and I’d scream and throw popcorn at the screen while Amanda laughed at me. Did I suddenly become a horror fan? Not really. But I learned that dipping into a different genre—even one I was convinced I’d hate—wasn’t that scary.
So, How Do You Actually Explore New Genres Without Freaking Out?
Glad you asked, imaginary friend in my head. Here’s what’s worked for me (and maybe will save you from staring blankly at your TBR pile or streaming queue):
1. Start Small (Short Stuff Counts)
Don’t commit to a 10-book fantasy series with dragons and 80 subplots. Start with a short story, novella, or even a TV pilot. You wouldn’t marry someone after the first date (well… hopefully), so don’t chain yourself to a genre for life on day one.
Example: I wanted to try sci-fi, but instead of diving into Dune (which is a brick), I started with The Martian. Funny, fast-paced, and full of potatoes. Perfect.
2. Find the Overlap
Genres aren’t these sealed boxes—they overlap all the time. Like, if you’re into romance, try a fantasy romance (A Court of Thorns and Roses). If you like thrillers, maybe dip into dystopian thrillers (The Hunger Games).
Think of it like food: if you like pizza, maybe try a calzone. Same ingredients, slightly different vibe.
3. Use Friends as Human Algorithms
Forget Netflix recommendations. Ask your friend who lives in that genre to give you one starter pick. People love being asked about their favorite things—it’s like giving them permission to info-dump. (Warning: you might get a 20-minute rant. Bring snacks.)
Amanda once made me a whole “starter pack” of horror films, ranging from “kinda spooky” to “will haunt your dreams.” It was actually helpful.
4. Keep Your Safety Net Handy
There’s no rule that says you have to abandon your comfort zone completely. You can read a new genre alongside your fave, or switch between them. I once alternated between Pride & Prejudice and World War Z. Weird combo, but it kept me sane.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Quit
This is huge. If you’re 50 pages in and it’s not clicking? Drop it. You wouldn’t force yourself to finish a bad sandwich. Same rules apply.
The Weird Psychology of Comfort Zones: Explore new genres without leaving your comfort zone
Here’s the funny part: when you think about it, our “comfort zones” are kinda arbitrary. Like, I tell myself I’m not a sci-fi person, but then I’ll watch Black Mirror for 6 hours straight. Or I say I don’t like nonfiction, but I’ll binge an entire true-crime docuseries without blinking.
So maybe the trick isn’t leaving your comfort zone at all—it’s realizing your comfort zone is way bigger than you think.
A Quick List Because My Brain Likes Lists
If you’re wondering where to start, here’s my super non-expert but tried-and-true list of baby steps into new genres:
- Romance people: Try fantasy-romance or romantic thrillers. (Bridging genres makes the landing softer.)
- Thriller junkies: Try dystopias or horror-lite. (Bird Box, anyone?)
- Fantasy nerds: Sci-fi crossovers like Star Wars novels might feel familiar.
- Nonfiction lovers: Narrative nonfiction that reads like a novel (Educated by Tara Westover).
- Comedy stans: Dramedies or satirical fantasy (Terry Pratchett will break you in gently).
Random Tangent Because Why Not
The first time I tried to “expand my music genres,” I decided to listen to classical. Thought it would make me smarter. Instead, I fell asleep on the bus and drooled on the stranger next to me. Moral of the story: experimenting is messy. And that’s okay.
Final-ish Thoughts: Explore new genres without leaving your comfort zone
Exploring new genres doesn’t have to mean abandoning the stuff you already love. It’s more like sneaking vegetables into your mac and cheese—you’re still cozy, but hey, now you’ve got broccoli in there.
And honestly, half the fun is the stories that come out of it. Like me screaming at The Conjuring or staying up way too late because The Martian made me suddenly care about botany.
So if you’re stuck in a rut but terrified of stepping out? Don’t think of it as leaving your comfort zone. Think of it as remodeling it. Add a new chair, maybe some mood lighting. It’s still yours, just with a few new flavors.
And if it all goes horribly wrong? Well, there’s always Chipotle.
Outbound Links:
- Paulo Coelho interview — The Guardian
- Sylvia Plath bio & works — Poetry Foundation
- Original “Crying in H Mart” essay — The New Yorker
- James Clear’s 3-2-1 newsletter — James Clear
- Matt Haig’s blog — Matt Haig
- Internal Links for Your Blog:
- When you mention healthy food at retreats → link to your post “Healthy Recipes for Weight Loss That Actually Taste Good.” “Most retreats also serve nourishing meals (check out these healthy recipes that actually taste good if you want ideas for home).”
- When discussing wellness coaching or personal growth → link to “How to Choose the Right Wellness Coach for Your Goals.” “Some retreats even pair you with a personal coach — similar to what I wrote about in choosing the right wellness coach.”
