Social Courage
If I’m being honest, this terrifies me more than physical courage at times. It can spike up that anxiety fast, but on the brighter side, I’m definitely a lot better at this kind of stuff compared to a couple of years ago.
For some people they’re a natural when it comes to social situations, some people even get charged in social situations. However for me, it takes a lot for me to open up, and I’m naturally a shy person who likes to keep to myself. So things like parties, social events, and networking are definitely an uphill struggle.
I worry whether I’m interesting to talk to, if I can keep up with a conversation, what if I offend someone, what I totally screw up an interaction that will ruin any chances of my career flourishing? Yeah, it gets extreme fast, but the fear is there and it’s real. So you can imagine the struggle of just getting myself to the event, let alone work up the courage to actually talk to someone.
But every time I go I experience the same kind of pattern.
There’s an event, I think I should go, I kind of don’t want to go, I force myself to go anyway, I feel extremely awkward, I talk to someone, I have a decent time, I actually enjoy myself a little bit, I go home.
Though it still makes me nervous to engage in social events, I know at least if I go it won’t be the end of the world. Plus I know I have enough tack not to accidentally offend somebody.
But those who also share a similar struggle, kudos to you for making the effort, it takes a lot of courage to even just walk to the dang place, and bonus if you go alone! It’s not easy, but things will get better with repetition! You got this!
That’s all for today, see you tomorrow!