Before Aug. 21, I was firmly set in my comfort zone, resisting change and the inevitability of life’s uncomfortable moments. However, everything turned upside down when I, a girl from a small, close-knit town in Canada, made the decision to move to the United States for school. 

As someone who is absurdly stubborn, there’s some satisfaction when it comes to digging your heels in and firmly refusing to budge away from my comfort zone. But here is the inconvenient truth: nothing exciting ever happens in my comfort zone. 

My comfort zone consists of repeatedly rewatching a sitcom, like “The Office.” I know the storyline of each episode by heart and I anticipate every plot twist. However, I’ve come to realize that nothing ever changes when I rewatch these shows. 

So, breaking free from this bubble of familiarity does require some stubbornness, I suppose. You have to refuse to do the same things day after day. When I decided it was time to step out of my comfort zone from a place I had known like the back of my hand for 19 years, I knew it would be a chaotic turn of events.

So, how am I adjusting?

Physically, my shoulders are constantly tensed up, my skin is breaking out, my eyes twitch and my leg shakes profusely. Emotionally, I can’t seem to shake this unsettling and indescribable feeling that has been constantly bubbling up in my chest.

I’ve been resisting the feeling of discomfort because it leads me toward the path of the unknown. Not acknowledging mishaps of discomfort has only made me weak and caused me to develop negative thoughts, like feeling incapable of being here, feeling like I don’t have a place here and thoughts of going back home.

But if I really want something to change, I have to face discomfort. If you think about it, that’s where all the magic happens. Yes, stepping out of your comfort zone and facing new challenges requires lots of trial and error, but it feels less tragic each time.

According to an article from the Association for Psychological Sciences, personal growth may be hard to recognize, especially when discomfort feels like a negative experience. On the other hand, “discomfort from personal growth can offer feedback that one is progressing on their goal.” So, if you feel like you’re lacking positive experiences, use that discomfort as motivation to find those positive moments. 

It has been a month since I moved to Arizona, and I have encountered amazing moments that wouldn’t have happened if I had been lounging around in my comfort zone. The more uncomfortable situations I have found myself in, the more I have stopped fighting the feeling of discomfort. 

Since I was 12 years old, I have dreamed of studying in America. The reason? I watched “Gilmore Girls” and aspired to be like Rory. Although the University of Arizona may not be an Ivy League, I have certainly accomplished half of my dream by leaving behind what I already know.

We all have dreams and aspirations, but we can’t just assume achieving them comes as easily as sitting on a recliner and snapping your fingers. We can only daydream for so long until we realize we must make it our reality. 

To my fellow stubborn souls, hold onto your stubbornness, but learn to redirect it. Start to develop resilience, in the sense that it can propel you forward instead of making you feel stuck.

Your comfort zone is always there when needed, but life’s adventures and failures await. And, if you feel like you’re failing more than succeeding, just remember: these failures make for much better stories than success inside your comfort zone ever could.

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Nicole Floroaie is a sophomore at the University of Arizona majoring in Public Health. In her free time she enjoys thrifting, listening to music and, as a coffee-holic, trying new coffee shops!