Jalen Rose T.

Saldua BSCS - 1st Year SAS I - E

“Taking a step out of my comfort zone”

"The path to growth is breaking out of your comfort zone." It was on the morning
of May 20, 2019, that I made the first step out of my comfort zone. I recently graduated
from junior high school and am now entering a new era of my life as a senior high
school student. A mixture of anxiety, longing, doubts, and excitement was all swirling
around me. Anxiety occurs as a result of my concern about how I will socialize and
create bonds with new people. Longing for my old friends and peers from junior high
school, whom I have known since elementary, but who are no longer my classmates
because we went to separate schools. Doubts that I will not live up to the expectations of
others around me, as well as the prospect of failing to achieve my goals. At the same
time, I'm looking forward to the new experiences, surroundings, and people I will be
meeting. Truly, my expectations of becoming a senior high school student were not that
different from being a junior high school: arriving at school early in the morning, doing
endless homework, activities, and projects, and hanging out in the cafeteria with your
classmates; however, the difference this time is the new set of people and environment
that I will be exposed to.

The Science and Technology Education Center, where I enrolled, was a bit far
away from my home in Cordova; to get there, I'd have to take a jeepney, then a tricycle,
which would take me 40 or an hour in total (depending on traffic), as a contrast to my
5-minute walk to my former school. I remembered how nervous I was about taking a
jeepney and tricycle because I was only used to walking or riding a trisikad (a
three-wheeled bicycle) to get to my old school. I was never the type of teenager who
enjoyed spending time outside going to places. My life revolved only within my home
and my school, a certified homebody and an introvert. I am quite unfamiliar with places
outside of my barangay, which is why traveling to different places was a challenge for
me. The first day of Brigada Eskwela was on May 20, and because my former school was
a private institution, I had never experienced it before. It was also the first time I
walked into STEC and met the people I'd be spending my whole week with for the next
two years.

Everyone was gathered and sat in a circle on the floor after cleaning out the front
and backyard garden. Some already had their group of pals since they know each other
from being classmates, yet there I was, sitting silently with sweaty palms, smiling shyly
to anyone I came eye contact with. "Hello, my name is Jalen Rose T. Saldua, 16 years
old. My hobbies include watching movies and series, as well as playing the
guitar..." With a shaky voice and a lump in my throat, I said, when it was my turn to
introduce myself. That was part of the script I wrote last night before going to bed. I
always have to plan ahead of time what I'm going to say, otherwise, I'll wind up
stuttering and spacing out. I usually make sure to come prepared, even for simple
conversations, since I've noticed that when I'm in front of other people, my brain
appears to forget how to work, twisting my tongue and thoughts until I can't think of
anything to say. When my peers introduced themselves one by one, I was taken aback
by a few who stood out. I couldn't think of a unique feature about myself, therefore my
introduction comprises only of common interests and activities that almost everyone
enjoys. Others, on the other hand, said things like, "I am a painter," and showcased
photos of their amazing artworks, "I am a writer," and shown us their Wattpad account
with thousands of followers and reads of their works, and "I am a soccer player," and
impressed us with their footwork skills. I felt so irrelevant and incompetent at the time,
and I wondered why I wasn't like them. I was surrounded by so many smart, ambitious,
and talented people, why wasn't I like them I questioned myself. In my previous school,
I was one of the best, always on the honor roll, and everyone admired me for being a
clever and kind girl, but that notion vanished when I arrived at STEC; it was a school
filled with brilliant and outstanding students, and a nobody like me had no place there.
I felt like a stray puppy wandering down a dog mansion surrounded by dazzling, rich
dogs who were suspicious of me because I was different. I was by myself and had no one
to talk to.
 Nonetheless, as an optimistic and unbothered person, I was able to expel the
negative thoughts from my mind. I told myself that I was enough and that I was not
there to impress others. Since no one knows me at my new school, I take advantage of
the opportunity to establish a new image that is distinct from my junior high school self,
who was an introverted, quiet, and timid young girl. I gradually broke out of my comfort
zone by doing things I had never done before. When I participated in stage plays in our
class, I never assumed I was somehow good at acting, my classmates were entertained
by my comedic act and storytelling. When it comes to magazine shoots and portraits, I
never would have guessed that I was skilled at photography and modeling. When there
are vlogging and self-made video assignments to do, I never would have guessed I was
good at editing.

I learned so much about myself in those two years in my senior high school that I
never recognized in the past years due to my fear of discovering and trying different
things I had never done before. Slowly, in small steps, I gain a better understanding of
myself, of what I am capable of, my strengths, and my weaknesses. I realized that if I
have stayed in my comfort zone for too long, I would never be able to meet this version
of myself, a confident, talented and creative individual as I am now. I have learned that
staying in your comfort zone would hinder you. Yes, it is easy to stay comfortable in
your zone, but never put limitations on yourself. Continue to explore and discover
things outside of your comfort bubble, because once you got out if you will grow as a
person. So go out there and embrace change. Break free since it is only outside of your
comfort zone that you will fully discover yourself.