Essay Sample: Step Out Of My Comfort Zone

Ever since I have gone to school, I have always despised using the bathroom. The anxiety and pressure of asking to use the bathroom crushed me. Everyone that has gone to a massive high school knows it is impossible to go to the bathroom during our detrimentally short 5 minute passing periods, so I would be required to ask during class.

This was a gigantic problem for me. I would walk into class knowing that it would be essential to ask to use the bathroom, but as soon as I sat at my desk I was paralyzed with fear. The fear of asking the simple question ＂may I use the bathroom?＂, it was so simple yet, at the same time, so immense. Valuable lessons flew over my disarrayed head, my mind would be in turmoil over that simple question. I would start obsessing about every possibility. “What if I interrupt class? What if someone wants to go first? What if I trip when I go up to ask? What if people observe me?” I allowed my thoughts to consume me. As I drafted a plan to ask my teacher at the perfect time, I would overthink and wait too long. Eventually the teacher would start teaching again, I then would feel incapable to ask anymore. When I finally retracted out of my mind and asked the teacher, they would tell me yes and write a pass as if it was no problem. At that moment I felt the bolder that was suffocating me lift off my chest. 

Then came substitutes. It was freshman year and I was sitting in 8th period mustering all the confidence my petrified body had, I asked the substitute teacher to use the bathroom, with which he uttered "no" in reply. The feeling of anger and unfairness washed over me. I had soccer right after school and had no time to use the bathroom, additionally I had done what I was supposed to do for class that day. Explaining myself to the substitute was futile. Recognizing it was my right to use the bathroom and he was taking that away,  I informed him that I would walk out if he refused to do so. Despite his threats to call the dean, I walked out, used the bathroom, and came right back. He called the dean down to the classroom. The dean pulled me aside to ask me about the situation then talked to the substitute in front of the whole class. The dean explained to the substitute that not allowing students to use the bathroom is taking away their rights and they are never allowed to do so. 

This moment forced me to realize that I cannot stay in my head frozen with fear. I ended up establishing the confidence within myself to step out of my comfort zone and talk to new people and do activities I never would have done. If it was not for my agonizing fear of asking to go to the bathroom I would never have become the confident, bold person I am today. That is why I now speak up.