Baby Steps
I was so terrified of the world I hid inside my own personal turtle shell. My own little bubble. It got worse after graduating high school because it felt like the "right" thing to do or the "next step" I had to take was to go to college, get a job, support myself and move out.
I was so overwhelmed that I shut out the world. I stayed home all day and watched TV, waiting for my boyfriend to get home. I rarely went out with my friends and barely saw them. I escaped reality by immersing myself in books and music and TV. I accomplished nothing because I was so afraid of the outside world. I didn't want to have to face it. I was so afraid of what was out there. I was a hermit. I was afraid of doing anything because I didn't want to fail. I didn't want to disappoint anyone. I didn't want to be judged or ridiculed by anyone. Everything scared me. It was just so much easier to stay inside my bubble. It was familiar and comfortable.
I can honestly say, though, that if I hadn't faced my fears and gone out there, I wouldn't have had some of the best experiences of my life. I went to concerts. I went to play pool with friends. I went out to bars. I met new people. If I hadn't faced my fears, I wouldn't have an amazing job where I made such great friends that they are practically my second family. It took baby steps and each step I took gave me the courage to take another step.
The world is a big and scary place with lots of demands and disappointments. It seems harsh and cruel, but there is so much beauty beyond your door step. There is love, friendship, and adventure. There are so many exciting things out there that I never would have been able to experience if I hadn't taken that first step outside my bubble. It took a dedicated and supportive therapist, mother, father. It took all the courage I could possibly find within myself. I did it. I took that first step.
My therapist had to remind me on more than one occasion that fear isn't real. Fear actually means False Evidence Appearing Real. What we think is scary really isn't. We don't have any facts or evidence that whatever we are afraid of is real. We don't know what's going to actually happen, so what's the point in being afraid? So, I say, don't let your "fears" hold you back from doing what you want. Don't let them control you. Don't let them tell you what you can or can't do. Don't disconnect yourself from the world because you are scared.
You are capable of anything. All you have to do is try. It's hard work and It's not going to be easy. It's okay to be afraid, too. You are not alone and you don't have to take that first step by yourself. I'm here with you, taking a new step with you every day.
With Love & Support,
Anxiety Girl - xoxo
I was so overwhelmed that I shut out the world. I stayed home all day and watched TV, waiting for my boyfriend to get home. I rarely went out with my friends and barely saw them. I escaped reality by immersing myself in books and music and TV. I accomplished nothing because I was so afraid of the outside world. I didn't want to have to face it. I was so afraid of what was out there. I was a hermit. I was afraid of doing anything because I didn't want to fail. I didn't want to disappoint anyone. I didn't want to be judged or ridiculed by anyone. Everything scared me. It was just so much easier to stay inside my bubble. It was familiar and comfortable.
I can honestly say, though, that if I hadn't faced my fears and gone out there, I wouldn't have had some of the best experiences of my life. I went to concerts. I went to play pool with friends. I went out to bars. I met new people. If I hadn't faced my fears, I wouldn't have an amazing job where I made such great friends that they are practically my second family. It took baby steps and each step I took gave me the courage to take another step.
The world is a big and scary place with lots of demands and disappointments. It seems harsh and cruel, but there is so much beauty beyond your door step. There is love, friendship, and adventure. There are so many exciting things out there that I never would have been able to experience if I hadn't taken that first step outside my bubble. It took a dedicated and supportive therapist, mother, father. It took all the courage I could possibly find within myself. I did it. I took that first step.
My therapist had to remind me on more than one occasion that fear isn't real. Fear actually means False Evidence Appearing Real. What we think is scary really isn't. We don't have any facts or evidence that whatever we are afraid of is real. We don't know what's going to actually happen, so what's the point in being afraid? So, I say, don't let your "fears" hold you back from doing what you want. Don't let them control you. Don't let them tell you what you can or can't do. Don't disconnect yourself from the world because you are scared.
You are capable of anything. All you have to do is try. It's hard work and It's not going to be easy. It's okay to be afraid, too. You are not alone and you don't have to take that first step by yourself. I'm here with you, taking a new step with you every day.
With Love & Support,
Anxiety Girl - xoxo
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