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

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#3 When I Come Home After Spending The Night Away, The First Thing I Saw Was My Loft Hatch Half Open

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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 Seen In Oak Harbor Ohio

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#5 My Kid Made A Luncheon Mask And I Don't Like It

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#6 Man With Radiation Poisoning, Chelyabinsk Region, Russia

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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 Damn, I Hope This Guy Is Alright

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#8 Well, Women's Bodies Are Made For Strains During Pregnancy That Might Surprise Those "Experts"

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#9 Window Suction Cups Acted As Magnifying Glass And Melted My Pillows

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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 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

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#11 When The Guy You Paid To Renovate Does A Bunch Of Shrooms Before Starting

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#12 Found In A House I Was Cleaning Out

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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 Letter In The Mail My Mom Received Today

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#14 I Woke Up With This On My Leg

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#15 I Only Get Goosebumps On One Side Of My Body Ever Since I Had Spine Surgery

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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 Two Ticks On A Tick, Which Was On My Cat

Image credits: bitch_let_me_live

#17 A Mask Found At A Yard Sale

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#18 Someones Car

Image credits: Guilty-Table123

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 High Schoolers In The 70s Looked 30

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#20 This Onion Didn't Have Any Rings

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#21 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…

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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 This Guy Messaged Me And I Happened To Look At His Bio Gives Me Creeps

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#23 These Characters Appeared On My Arm Under A Blacklight

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#24 How Did A Crawfish End Up On My Driveway? I Don’t Live Near Any Rivers

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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 Developed At A 1-Hour Photo In The 90's

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#26 Not Sure What Their Message Is

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#27 Come, Sit. Maybe We Can Chit Chat…

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#28 Mark On Leg After Snorkeling In The Caribbean

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#29 Saw This On A Cottage Property I Surveyed

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#30 Found A Single, Chewed-Up Woman’s Shoe In The Middle Of The Desert

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#31 Found On Facebook

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#32 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

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#33 Two Items From My "Stuff" Drawer Chemically Bonded

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#34 I’ve Been Finding These Tiny Shards Of Glass In My Bedroom For Two Weeks

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#35 A Mask We Found In The Basement Of A Family Member

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#36 I Found A Bunch Of Dandelions Combined Into One :)

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#37 My Mom Called Me, She’s Been Dead For 6 Months And Her Phone Number Is No Longer In Use On Her Old Phone

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#38 What Is Happening To This Egg?

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#39 Are You From The Future?

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#40 Found On Facebook Marketplace

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#41 This Happens Every Time I Come In Contact With Hot Water

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#42 Got This Weird Text From A Unknown Number

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#43 What The Hell Is This? My Phone Never Did This Before? Should I Be Worried?

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#44 What Kind Of Nest Is This?

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#45 Creepy Doll At An Estate Sale

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#46 Any Idea What This Symbolizes? Discovered On Deceased Sibling’s Camera Roll

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#47 Bought This On A Whim

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#48 Going Into The Grocery Store And Either Someone Had A Breakthrough, Or A Breakdown

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#49 What Does The Hh Stand For? Spotted In Ohiopyle State Park, Pa

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#50 I Found This Notecard On The Box To Buzz People In To My Apartment

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