While watching The Big Bang Theory yesterday (which if you don't watch, you definitely should because it's hilarious and nerdy and fantastic), I realized I definitely relate to Sheldon (in more ways than this, but we won't go into that) on his feelings on his comfort zone:
Penny: "Okay, that's fine, but let's try and get you out of your comfort zone."
Sheldon: "Why would we want to do that? It's called the comfort zone for a reason."
I totally understand that feeling. Graduating college is forcing me out of the comfort zone I've had for years and years and years. I can't remember a time when I wasn't a full-time student. I've never had a job that doesn't involve a time clock and a cash register. While I'm very excited to graduate and be a writer for a living, I'm also pretty terrified.
A couple friends and I were talking about graduation and going into the adult world. They say you're an adult when you graduate high school and go to college, but let's be real here, you're really not. Most people live in the dorms for at least the first year, and you still don't really have a "real" job. You still have that protective barrier of "student." Boss wants you to work more than 25 hours? Nope, can't, because you're a student and you have homework and exams and projects. You might have an apartment and have rent and bills to pay, but it's still not the "adult world." You don't really become an "adult" until you finish your undergrad and graduate. Anyway, my friends and I decided that graduation and entering that adult world was like walking up to the edge of a cliff, looking over the edge to see how high up you are, and then jumping right off. I've been told by graduates from last year (and the year before that, and my parents) that the jump is scary, but once you jump it's perfectly fine and actually pretty fun. But I still have to leave my comfort zone to enjoy it.
Purdue has been a pretty great comfort zone. I've had an amazing time, had great experiences, and wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world. I kinda feel like I have no idea what I'm doing (and that I should know what I'm doing), and while I'm terrified to leave my West Lafayette comfort zone, I'm also pretty excited to find my new one.
I take that big leap off the cliff in six days. And (I think) I'm ready. Now or never, right?
Oh time clocks. Those are the WORST.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, it's definitely a leap (of faith?) but it's actually kind of all right. I was kinda lucky in that my first boss treated me like an adult and ALSO treated me like I was competent and threw me right into the deep end immediately. But everybody was super nice and patiently answered all my questions. I think that experience was better than people who are treated like kids.
But, you know, get out there and do it, lady!
I'll probably be in a similar situation - I've already been told that there's a nice-sized list of documents that need created waiting on me :) I've become more and more excited the closer graduation gets and less terrified as pieces start falling into place, but it's still a little scary :)
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