I've always been a very reserved person. Ever since I was a child I have struggled with anxiety, which has resulted in me never truly living my life to its full potential. I'm the girl that won't walk into school in the morning if a lot of people are walking in at the same time. I'm the girl that apologizes for everything. I'm the girl that doesn't speak up in a crowd when I have something to say. I'm the girl that will let a huge opportunity pass me by, simply because I'm scared to pursue it. All of this is because I am the girl that, until recently, had never stepped out of her comfort zone.
Going into my senior year of high school, I quickly realized that if I continued to be someone who was scared to live, I would end up regretting my entire life. There were times that I got invited to go places with my friends, but I turned them down because I was scared to be adventurous. The truth is that teenagers take risks, sneak out, make mistakes and make memories, and that's part of being a kid. The day I realized this, my entire life changed. When I started making little changes to force me out of my comfort zone, I began to realize that I had never been living my life to its full potential. That sounds crazy coming from an 18 year old, but it's the truth. I also realized that my parents were a lot cooler than I thought, simply because I started asking them to go out with my friends instead of staying at home, and they always said yes.
By the time graduation rolled around, I was a completely different person. I viewed my life as a wonderful and exciting gift, as opposed to a dull routine. It's amazing how many opportunities I was given just because I was no longer scared to step out of my comfort zone, and it paid off. Odyssey is a perfect example; a year ago I would have never had the courage to reach out and attempt to write for the public. Now that I am about to start college, I am no longer scared about moving forward with my life. I can't wait to move into my apartment next week, and I can't wait to begin classes and meet new people. I have become someone who welcomes change, and it was the best decision of my life. I realized that if I ever wanted to make something of myself and stand out, I couldn't be afraid to step out of my comfort zone.
The best advice I can give someone is this: raise your voice, tell that person how you feel, share your thoughts, and regret nothing. Always remember that life begins the moment you step out of your comfort zone.