I used to live in a little bubble that made up my comfort zone. I hung out with the same people, went to the same places, did the same things I’d done for a while. I was content and safe, and I didn’t take risks. Why would I when I had everything I needed?
Then the pandemic happened, and I realized I didn’t have everything I wanted. There is a big difference between the things you want and the things you need, and for a while, I was only taking care of my needs. I needed at least a few friends, so I found some people I liked and could spend time with regularly. I needed food, so I went to a few good restaurants. I needed to stay healthy, so I exercised. I needed to graduate college, so I went to class and studied and did my best on all the assignments and tests.
But when all of that changed in March 2020, I realized that I was missing those things and the possibility of more. I wanted to meet more people, try more restaurants, go to events, take fun classes, and try new things. I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity available to me if my college returned to in-person classes. So now, as I’m back on campus in my last year, I’m making the most I can of it.
I’m more social; I’m volunteering for more things; I’m doing the things I’ve always thought about doing but been too scared to do. I know how quickly things can change now, and I don’t want to look back at my time in college and regret not doing something. If I try and fail, at least I know what happened. I won’t have to wonder, “What if . . . ?”
Don’t make the same mistake I did in being afraid to push my comfort zone. If this pandemic has taught us anything, it’s to seize the moment. Next time you think, “I kind of want to do that,” don’t let the doubt get in your way. Do it!