Words by: Adele Scott 
Art by:  Adele Scott 

Everyone wants to step out of their comfort zone until they realise it may include doing it alone (um, bars!). I mean, I get it! Being an individual by yourself is hard work.

Whether it’s going to an event, wearing a vibrant sweater or ordering the hottest thing on the menu, it always feels easier to step out of your comfort zone when your friends are taking that step with you. To be clear, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing and you are also not alone. 

Don’t get me wrong, the majority of the time events are much more fun when your friends are there with you. You get to have a new experience, make some new memories and share some laughs and/or tears with them (I don’t know your style). However, in these instances, where we only live our lives when our friends are available, it’s worth asking how many experiences, memories and laughs we might be missing out on.

That music festival your mates decided not to go to, what if your favourite artist was a surprise act? That theatre show you desperately wanted to see with your friend but they dipped last minute, what if it was the performance of a lifetime? 

You might be reading this thinking, yeah…but what if I went and had a terrible time? 

To which I say, how would you know? You didn’t go!

Ok yes, those are very idyllic scenarios but the point is, we should do what we want! If there’s a slight chance you have an incredible time, isn’t it worth the initial discomfort? I recently learnt that the satisfaction and pride from stepping outside of my comfort zone outweigh the hesitation and disparity of missing out on things I enjoy. So no, I didn’t come here to attack you and make you question your life’s decisions, because I couldn’t possibly, I am you! Subsequently, I am a hypocrite, but I wish to change that.

Last month, I saw an advert for a collage class being held in Fitzroy. If you know me, you’d know I love collaging and it’s become one of my favourite art forms. However, with the never-ending tidal wave of university assignments, I couldn’t find the time nor energy to collage in my own time.

Now, before I continue, yes I did invite my friends to come along to this class, but I did not wait for their response. I bought my ticket and decided I would go with or without them. Tickets ran out quickly and the verdict was in – I was going alone!

And lo and behold, I had a great time! To be truthful, I didn’t talk to anyone and I got lost getting home in the dark, but at least I went. That, in itself, was a victory to me.

Let’s all try to take small steps. Perhaps it’s sitting in a cafe by yourself, shopping alone for new clothes or maybe even going on a solo hike. Yes, these things can be more fun with friends, but we also shouldn’t deny ourselves the joy of doing them just because our friends are busy.

Don’t wait for others to do it, do it now, and do it for you!