Everybody has their niche. Their comfort zone. The one place they can be themselves, and act like themselves. Do you know your fortress of solitude? Maybe it’s a place in your home or maybe it’s just something you hold close to your heart that no one can take away from you. But everyone should have that one thing. That one thing that they’re passionate about. That one thing that they could talk for hours about and never get bored. Maybe it’s a person, maybe it’s an activity, maybe it’s a movie, TV show, book, sports team, video game. Anything. I know I have one. Maybe a few. But I bet everyone can think of that one thing. That one thing that’s brought up in conversation that you will turn your ear at if heard.
Sometimes it’s hard to find that comfort zone. Especially if you don’t know what you’re looking for. But have you have ever been in a situation where you are just completely calm and relaxed? It’s like you’ve completely gone into a Zen mode. I know I feel comfortable when I’m around certain people. I feel confident that I won’t be hurt or picked on. It’s a nice feeling. But in some situations, it’s different. Maybe you’re at a gathering, and you feel uncomfortable and there’s nobody that you know or that you can talk to. That’s the worst place to be.
People say that the best you and best work comes out when you’re not in your comfort zone. But why change something that isn’t broken? Of course, everyone’s different and you can’t change that, but I believe I work just fine in my comfort zone and where I’m at. Going to a party and being alone isn’t going to make me a better person. Maybe I do need to get out more, but being in your comfort zone can be just as well.
What’s your comfort zone? Is it your home? Your friends? Family? Do you not have one? Are you comfortable everywhere? It varies for everyone, I would think, so maybe you don’t need one. A comfort zone is going to pertain to who you are as a person. It’s that place where you can forget of all of life’s little problems. The place to think. If you are completely comfortable with hanging out with a large crowd and talking to too many people at once, that’s good. If you are absolutely fine with sitting alone, while drinking a beverage, that’s fine too. Don’t let other people have a voice in your comfort zone, either. Because they’re not you and they don’t know how you feel in certain situations.
“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive, who is youer than you!” wrote Dr. Seuss. Your comfort zone is you. And that can’t be changed. That’s who you are. I’m comfortable in one area. One area that makes me confident and that I can be myself, no matter who’s around. This place makes me feel magical, like I’m on top of the world and that no one can turn me down. That I am the sun and stars, and that I shine. The world is at my fingertips. And in your comfort zone, it’s at yours too. Do you know the feeling?
Elizabeth Nygren is in Grade 11 at Prince Charles Secondary School. The Teen Take is a column co-ordinated by the Teen Action Committee.