Comfort Zone

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” - Mark Twain

Safe harbor. Bubble. Comfort zone.

Call it what you may - I didn't like leaving it. I know my boundaries. Quite well actually. We're very close. For example, no matter how many times I get invited to go snowboarding I still won't go. It's not that I don't want to go. I do. It looks like a lot of fun if you know what you're doing.

But I'll probably get someone killed.

Or myself. Or both. My family and friends can attest to the fact that I'm clumsy. I'm not trying to be dramatic. I manage to trip on bare, even floors. Knock into cubicle walls. If there's a low shelf my forehead will find it. Needles to say, the one time I tried snowboarding I managed to knock a 9 year old off his feet. And crash into a tree. Did I mention that I lost my board? Yup, flew right off the side of the mountain. Don't ask. It's better left unsaid.

The more I think about it the more I am sure of the fact that it's our "comfort zone" that keeps us from ever doing all the things we say we're going to do. Sure, it's not always pleasant. There will be a few awkward moments. Even painful moments. But most moments will be the most amazing and satisfying of your life. Everyone I've met have has said they they want to travel. Someday. No one really knew when or where or how. But someday. Sadly, I've only met a handful of people who've actually done it. 

So in January of 2009 I decided to take the plunge.

I just started my last semester at CSU, Sacramento. I had 18 units and was working about 30 hours a week at an internship. I didn't know if I would have a job after I graduated, but oddly, I didn't care. I started to do some research and found a company that does group trips for college age students. I asked my friends if anyone wanted to join me. I pleaded my case but to no avail. Some wholeheartedly supported me but they didn't have the time or money. Others ridiculed and tried to discourage me. It was their loss.

So what now? Do I go? Traveling overseas was already out of my comfort zone but doing it alone? With a group of strangers? Would my parents approve? I struggled for days if not weeks. I felt torn in two. I wanted to go so badly but I wasn't ready to take the leap.

Surprisingly, it was my parents who helped me make the final decision. Apparently, they've always wanted to travel themselves and encouraged me to go by myself. They said go now. Go while you're fee. Go while you're young. Go while you're single. 

Wait. What? Single? What did they mean by single? Well, the funny thing is, I had a lot of people say that they'll go when they get married. But my parents said that's what they thought so too but life tends to get in the way when your married. That's two people taking time off (most likely unpaid). You have financial responsibilities. And if you have kids, who's going to watch them for 2-3 weeks while you're gone? It's one thing to ask your family to watch them for a night or a weekend. But 3 weeks? Not likely. Hmm. Good point. I knew if I didn't go now I might never go.

So I jumped.