My senior year of high school was just like any other 18-year-old's nightmare. I felt trapped, bored and eager to get out into the world and finally try things on my own. Although I was impatient and fatigued, I never would have considered the importance of getting out of my comfort zone. Why would I intentionally put myself in a position where I felt uncomfortable? To me, that didn't seem like much fun. It wasn't until I realized that I was completely and utterly miserable in my regular routine when I made up my mind up to start over. That's when I decided...hey, let's move 737.1 miles away from the bright lights of Las Vegas, Nevada to the small town of Ashland, Oregon.
I have since realized that moving away from my friends, my family, and my hometown with all its familiarity, was the best decision I've ever made. That's not to say I don't miss it every now and then, but it has occurred to me that I wasn't my best self there. I couldn't be. The thing is, there came a point where I could no longer grow as a person. I was stuck in the same routine every day, filled with the same familiar faces, and surrounded by the same frequently-occurring problems that never seemed to get resolved. My life at that point was at a stand-still.
Now that I've had the opportunity to immerse myself in a completely new environment, I've found myself to be much happier than I was before. I think this stresses the importance of personal growth. In order to grow as a person and learn new things, one must put themselves out there and participate in activities they wouldn't normally do. Since I've practiced this idea, I can already feel myself changing - and for the better. It's crazy to me how that works; how during every day life it doesn't seem like all that much has changed, but over time it almost appears that every little aspect of it is different.
During this process of self-discovery, I've made some really great friends, learned some wicked interesting facts and even unearthed a few hidden treasures. Most days I look around and I am in awe. I am in awe at how far I've come, and how far I've yet still to go. From here on out, I will continue to soak in the rebirth of curiosity, and suggest that everyone tries the same. Renew the wonder first instilled as a child, and push to try new things. Introduce yourself. Don't stick with what's comfortable. Move away from home and never be afraid to uncover the possibilities that lay ahead.
