In a society where people can hide behind various screens and names, it can be difficult for one to go out of their comfort zones that shield them from the unpredictable winds of change. Comfort zones – sometimes referred to as “walls” in an emotional sense – are the simplest form of self-protection. They are the warm blankets of familiarity that allow us to find solace in our routines and the familiar aspects of life. However, it is only when we leave our comfort zones that we truly grow; the natural discomfort humans feel towards the unfamiliar and unpredictable are the signs of growth and courage.
“I think going outside of your comfort zone is so difficult because many people are afraid of new things and just like to sit with what they know. It is a natural instinct, but going out of our comfort zone is important because that is how we learn and grow up,” said Parker Morgan, junior staff writer for The Wolf.
The word courage often has a connotation that it has to refer to a valorous act on the battlefield or a heroic sacrifice in times of need. However, courage is much more than that. It takes a plethora of forms in the everyday lives of individuals who allow themselves to grow and step out of their comfort zones. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, courage is “the ability to do something that frightens one” or “strength in the face of pain or grief.” Those two accepted definitions do not refer to physical acts of heroism as the only forms of courage but rather indicate that courage is the ability to do something that is scary. Leaving your comfort zone is a sign of real courage because it is not easy to venture into the unknown without the security of everything working out.
“I see a lot of value in going out of your comfort zone,” senior Olivia Trone said. Trone is a co-editor-in-chief for The Wolf. “Although I have lived most of my life not going out of my comfort zone – such as refusing to try new foods or do ‘scary’ things – I have made an effort in recent years to try new things, and it has been extremely valuable. I used to be scared of most things, but I have grown out of that and see myself as a more to grounded person with the resiliency to tackle difficult and scary obstacles. I would rather live my life trying new things than regretting the things I did not try.”
Additionally, going out of your comfort zone can allow you to explore new ideas and new opportunities that you may have not otherwise experienced — it is an opportunity to learn new things and gain new experiences.
“Going out of your comfort zone makes you more adaptable to new situations,” sophomore staff writer Evelyn Rusk said. “When you start opening up to other people that [are not] just your small group of friends, you build a bigger community, and that helps you to have support when you are going through hard things. I have never regretted trying something new. Even if it ends up being a bad experience, at least I can say I did it. [I do not want to be] on my deathbed one day and regret not doing something that I could have done if I had been a little more outgoing.”
For example, in sports, going out of your comfort zone may look like trying something new because the chance of accomplishing something greatly outweighs the fear of failure.
“For me, specifically, going into races during track always makes me nervous and takes me out of my comfort zone because I know it will hurt a ton,” junior News Editor Alex Ehrhart said. “What makes it easier is asking myself ‘What if?’ Oftentimes, the fear of missing out vastly outweighs the pain and [discomfort] I will experience. What if I run a massive PR? What if I gap my opponent and win? What if this relay team runs the school record and I am part of the reason for it?”
Going out of your comfort zone is essential for personal growth in many different aspects of life. While individual comfort zones provide a sense of security and familiarity, they can also act as an inhibitor to growth. With that being said, it is important to recognize the courage it takes to go out of your comfort zone.
As the definition says, courage is the ability to do something frightening, and leaving your comfort zone is just that. Congratulate yourself for the times you do scary things; that is real courage.
