When Life Gives You Lemon, Try to Ask for a Hot Chocolate
Embrace the uncertainties and say hell yeah!
As I gazed out of the airplane window, drinking my favorite lemon water that I bought in Indonesia, I fixated on Vaclav Havel Airport, and an unconventional message echoed in my mind: “Do the last thing you will do in Indonesia.” The phrase hung in the air, electrifying my thoughts with possibilities, and setting the tone for my entire journey. Naturally, thoughts of doing something illegal or inappropriate according to Indonesia’s laws and norms crossed my mind, but I quickly brushed them aside. None of us are saints, and uncontrollable thoughts are part of the human experience.
This cryptic message compelled me to ponder the uncharted path that lay ahead, an event for which I had no prior experience. The uncertainty of the future can indeed be terrifying, often leading us to cling to our well-worn routines, which have been proven successful, and try our best to avoid risks. However, a lingering question emerged: wasn’t my participation in this program to study abroad all about seeking new experiences? About challenging the confines of my comfort zone and embracing the unfamiliar?
With this realization, I embarked on a journey to break free from my comfort zone. It reminded me to savor every moment, embrace new experiences, and push the boundaries of my comfort zone to engage in unexpected things — the things I normally would not do. It is easy to fall into the routine of lectures, assignments, and exams, to behave the way life expects you to behave because you did it a thousand times and will do it again in the future, but it is the moments of spontaneity and exploration that truly shape our life. Instead of surrendering to the uncertainty or even the hardship that is caused by it, I tried to proactively seek joy, new experiences, and personal growth by stepping outside of my comfort zone to embrace the unfamiliar.
To embrace the uncertainties I’m willing to take the risk, I tried to take small steps, opting for unusual paths to my dorm and expecting to find some nice spot, daring to order dishes from the menu that I could not even pronounce and hoping the taste would be good, indulging in a hot chocolate and being fully aware of the trouble for my stomach, joining a student society I never thought I would be interested in, attending the party I had never heard of, and engaging in conversations that challenged my existing beliefs. I even ventured to ride buses I had never taken before, stepped out of the safety of my Indonesian circle, and actively sought to befriend individuals I would have least expected to connect with. Befriend people from all walks of life, each with their own unique stories and perspectives.
It is amazing how stepping outside our comfort zones can lead to unexpected friendships, incredible learning opportunities, and unforgettable experiences. And let us not forget the joy of exploring the city itself. From hidden cafes and museums to vibrant markets and festivals, there is always something new to discover. Every venture beyond campus is a chance to delve into the sights, sounds, and tastes that make this city so special.
The allure of the unfamiliar, the thrill of embracing discomfort, and the joy of learning from the unexpected, even when faced with hardship, became my guiding principles, propelling me forward on a transformative journey. This adventure served as a poignant reminder that life’s most profound moments often lie beyond the borders of our comfort zones because we mostly remember the first of everything whether it is good or bad — of course, the first time we walk, and talk, are the things we can put outside of the “mostly” box — and to find that it rarely on the things we always do.
As I find myself sitting in a library that I had never visited before, I am reminded of the instinct hardwired into our genes. An instinct inherited from our ancestors who explored the unknown, starting with the first human in Sub-Saharan Africa, and continuing with the intelligent and ambitious pioneers in aerospace, venturing into space. Yes, my study here is about academics, but it is also about embracing adventure and finding joy in the unknown because beyond our comfort zones lie rich experiences and valuable lessons. In the end, it is not just about the degree I earn, but also the memories I create and the personal growth I experience. I have realized in this beautiful journey that life often hands us lemons, but instead of settling for lemonade, I have learned to ask for hot chocolate.
