Goals or Memories - The Importance of Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone

Goals or Memories - The Importance of Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone By Camryn Bland Youth Columnist Every day, we are faced with opportunities for new experiences and exciting risks. Our daily routines constantly present chances to change through small decisions, yet we rarely choose to take them. Too often, we follow the path which is easy and convenient instead of one that offers excitement and growth. What feels like the safe option can instead lead to stunted potential and missed moments, all because of fear and a need for comfort. Risks and opportunities come with unknown consequences, which can feel impossible to ignore. It makes sense why we often refuse unusual experiences, as they are so separate from our ordinary. So, we stay close to the normal which we know, instead of the rewards or consequences which are unknown. The unusual uncertainty can turn into fear, which can lead to inaction and stagnation. Too often, we sit and think about the prospect until it passes by us before we can make a final decision. The most obvious cause of this loss of opportunities is the fear of failure. Whether the experience be social, educational, or related to employment, nothing is guaranteed. A new friendship may not last, you might not make the school team, or might not receive the promotion. The possibility of disappointment prevents us from trying in the first place. Sometimes we may even fear acceptance, worrying it may not meet our expectations, or could lead to regret later. Additionally, it can be easy to get caught up in the opinions of others when faced with new options. We are not only afraid of our own disappointment, but also that of people around us. We fear judgment, criticism, and misunderstanding from people who may not value the experience as much as we do. When outside opinions begin to overshadow our own, our personal goals can quickly become blurred and forgotten. We rarely recognize these motivations for decline at the moment. Instead, we create alternative reasons to decline opportunities, such as a busy schedule, lack of background knowledge, or not wanting to do it alone. We constantly find excuses for ourselves. We don’t want to do it alone, we’re too busy, or we don’t have the skills. Although these excuses may feel valid, we use them as a shield to prevent us from dealing with the bigger issues, such as our fear or stagnation. These day-to-day choices of comfort and complacency may feel small in the moment, but they add up to a life filled with goals instead of memories. We get stuck worrying about failure, and forget to ask what happens if we succeed. What first seems like a leap of anxiety can instead be an avenue for memories, growth, and adventure. Through this success, new friends can be made, new skills learned, or further opportunities unlocked. The only thing preventing this from happening is fear, which must be pushed aside in pursuit of development. Although I often find myself worrying about the “what-ifs” of new opportunities, I still choose to try them. I have applied for jobs, drama productions, and extracurricular activities even when they felt like unrealistic longshots. Many of those longshots helped shape who I am today, showing the importance of taking a leap of faith. Even when an opportunity does not turn out exactly as expected, or when we fall short, there are still valuable lessons to learn. When I first applied to my school’s Student Administration Council, I was not accepted. Instead of letting that disappointment stop me, I used the experience as motivation and a lesson in collaboration, communication, and leadership. The following year, I applied again and was accepted. Today, I serve as the council’s vice president, all because I decided to take a chance on that first interview years ago. The only way to learn, grow, and develop is by leaving our comfort zones and trying something new. One day, I know I will be looking back and reflecting on my past, and I know what I hope to see; a life full of memories, not goals. One where I joined countless clubs, applied for countless jobs, and met countless people. A life lives not in fear and comfort, but in meaningful risks and irreplaceable growth.