It was my last day in my comfort zone before I stepped out into the world I knew nothing about and out of the cocoon which had kept me oblivious to the hardships outside. Although my heart was filled with fear and my eyes moist at the thought of moving out of ‘home’, there was a weird excitement that overpowered every other emotion. It was the excitement to take that step forward, to go out into what they called ‘the real world’, push my boundaries and most importantly explore my sheltered self in this unsheltered ambience.
I had no idea or anticipation as to what university life would be like. Would it really accept a shy girl who was always too intimidated by the idea of putting forth her opinions in a crowd? With a million questions in mind, I stepped out of home teary-eyed but prepared to take on every single challenge that future had in store for me. Initially I tried very hard to fit in with the crowd at university but realised soon enough that ‘the real world’ only has opportunities for those who don’t want to fit in, but “stand out”. That’s when I knew that the only way to make my mark was to get over my inhibitions and create possibilities of accomplishments for myself.
I started participating in every activity that came my way, began networking and talking to people more openly, and slowly but steadily started shedding the protective shell I had formed around myself. This is how I realised that things that I’ve never done before will never come easy but as soon as I am able to surpass the phase of restraining myself due to the fear of being ridiculed, I know there’s no stopping me from getting where I want to.
I’ve learnt this the hard way that success always lies on the other side of the comfort zone and if something does not challenge me, it can never change me for the better. The moment I understood that this new environment was for real now, I knew that I would have to face both wonderful and abysmal experiences but I just could not afford to be afraid. I knew that I was leaving home to follow my dreams and that the path was not going to be a bed of roses. It has been a road full of potholes where I am constantly pushed down but it has always been completely up to me to either get up, dust myself and move forward or let fear and emotions weigh down my dreams and I choose the former each and every time. With this ever-green enthusiasm I want to keep proving to the world and to myself that the sky is not my limit after all.
“All the concepts about stepping out of your comfort zone mean nothing until you decide that your essential purpose, vision and goals are more important than your self-imposed limitations.”
~ Robert White
Leave A Comment