"Great things never come from comfort zones."

Ah, there it is, a quote we all hear quite often. To be completely honest, that quote really scares me. The thought of being uncomfortable? Forget it. I would much rather be doing what makes me feel comfortable. I would much rather be doing what makes me feel safe.

Before entering college, I realized that I was that person who likes to walk into a crowded room and find her place in the back near the food - usually to avoid social situations and well duh, because of the food. I was that person who never spoke up in class discussions unless I have to. I was that person who preferred to keep everything low-key.

"Take every risk. Drop every fear."

When I take a look at how I had been living my life, I realize that I never took risks. I was basically living in fear. But the question is, where did that fear come from? Was it the idea of living a completely different life? Was it having to make a whole new friend group? Was it because I was afraid of being judged? What I discovered was that it was a combination of all of those things. Those were all things that were driving my fears. And because of those fears, I never took risks, which eventually lead to me wondering: what else is out there?

All the times in my life where I felt like I have truly grown as a person have involved me taking some sort of risk. For example, speaking up in class discussions have always resulted in something good. Why was I always so afraid? Talking to a person I have never met before as always resulted in something good. Why was I always so afraid? Joining clubs at school and trying new things have resulted in something good, and I have always learned something about myself in those situations. Why was I always so afraid?

If you compare how I was my freshman year self to my current self, you will see such a huge difference. I am more outgoing, I am trying new things, I have made more friends, I am finding out who I am, and I am happier – all of this has happened over the course of eight months because I decided to step out of my comfort zone.

Good things never come from comfort zones. If you want to experience change, if you want to find who you are, if you want to experience new things, you have to be willing to be uncomfortable. It is when you are uncomfortable where you find your strengths and weaknesses. Stepping out of your comfort zone is where you begin to find and grow into the person you were created to be.

embrace yourself.