Omayra Acevedo, Peak to Peak. Creative introverts, like myself, tend to be inspired more by the creativity that comes from a deep connection with our inner world. There, is where we find the blaze of inspiration waiting to be ignited. Only, however, when we are left uninterrupted to set our imagination free. 

Though surrounded by other people, my mind went wild as I strolled around the scenery at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. My first few steps took me to the giraffe exhibit. Kids were laughing – sometimes in a disdainful cry as they fed the giraffes and their hands were covered in drool. It was pretty entertaining. After a few chuckles, I found myself standing at the meerkat exhibit. For some reason, this was the critter that rested in my head long after my trip was over. Not sure why, but he/she was adorable. 

Once I pried myself away from the exhibit, I did some exploring in Australia. Wallabies, alligators, an emu and several invertebrates created the perfect ambiance for the next scene that played in my head. I paused at every exhibit and put myself in their place. I pretended to know what it’d be like to be them. I covered everything from experiencing their skin, how they breathed, what they saw and felt. I wish I had time to share every detail with you, but let’s just say that the child within me never felt more alive. I guess it’s why most people still visit places like the zoo. You can just be you, even if that means in your own head.

Every area of themed displays took me to a whole new world. Allowing me to internally explore, not only the extent of my imagination, but the level of comfort that comes from my own skin. By the time I got around to the Asian Highlands, Bear Grottos, Monkey Pavilion, Rocky Mountain Wild exhibit and completing my visit at the zoo, I was drained. Happily, so. I got there early so was able to leave before the crowds got to be too much for me.

Sorry to say, but unless you are an introvert, you may never understand what that’s like. So, it’s not personal when I’m invited to go out somewhere and I immediately say no, thanks. It’s just that the benefits of spending time alone outweigh the mere idea of being surrounded by a crowd – and yes, for introverts, even one person can feel like a crowd. The game changer, however, can be where you are, who you are with and how openly you can set your imagination free without having to explain yourself or be judged. 

It’s why I personally enjoy the zoo and being in nature. There’s always an understood, unexplained mutual respect. Try it sometime. Take yourself out and set your imagination wild. You might discover more about yourself than the things, people or animals around you.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
https://www.cmzoo.org/
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Rd., Colorado Springs,
CO 80906
719.633.9925

(Originally published in the January 16, 2020, print edition of The Mountain-Ear.)