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| Skateboard competition in Fresno There was a time in my life when I wasn't so afraid of everything. I may have even seemed fearless at times. I was still a bit of a social outcast and was never the life of the party, or outgoing by any means but I knew who I was, and at some point in the last few years I have completely lost that. |
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| Look at that crowd. I had the best fans.... |
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| I was never afraid of the boys |
I wasn't full of confidence then, but I had more than I have now. I was still able to fight off the fear of what people thought of me. I was shy, but I didn't care. I just did my thing. Playing sports helped me forget that I was shy. There was no room for a lack of confidence on your board, or on the field. I was far from timid and may have even been called aggressive-I didn't even have to talk.
Now, unfortunately as an adult people automatically expect you to be able express yourself in other ways than skateboarding and slide-tackling. I am so awkward in person ya'll. It is really hard for me to get a job because people see me as being stuck-up, dumb, and lacking confidence. These are all of the things an employer does not want to hire. I am so terrified of how I present myself, and what people's impressions of me are that I am afraid to do anything concerning people that don't already know me. There are so many things I want to do but am too afraid.
I want to go on group runs with the people from the local running store, make new friends, run more races, carry on conversations with people, have a good job interview that actually lands me a job, and find some confidence.
I only have one life, and the events of the last few weeks have shown me that it is in fact very short, and the way you live it could determine your happiness in the end.
I need to stop being so afraid.
Later in life you will look back and say to yourself, "What was I thinking?" You will be so filled with confidence and wonder why you even felt that way....mark my words...you'll see! I can see it in you....don't hold back. Love ya!
ReplyDeleteI just want to say that you're a badass. :)
ReplyDeleteI can relate to that on some levels and all I can recommend is: put yourself out there. As awkward as it might seem at first. You can only get better in those types of situations if you practice.
ReplyDeleteAmber, you can do this! I know it's hard but I have faith in you!
ReplyDeleteAmber, the hardest part is that first step, but once you take it, the rest get progressively easier. Don't allow yourself to say, I can't, or I am afraid. Change your thoughts to initiate change to, "I want to do this, so I'm going to check it out." I know you can, you had so much guts in sports and you gave it 110%. That challenge is what life is all about.
ReplyDeleteI can very much relate! This is something I've been working on a LOT this past year. Your plan to go on group runs sounds like a great idea! I started using meetup websites online and going to potlucks and other get togethers where people were expected not to know each other and each time I went it got a little bit easier for the next time. I'm still awkward! Hahaha... some days more so than others, but it's definitely getting better. Try the group runs, and look for more situations like that where you can push yourself. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI think people view me the exact same way in a job situation as you described. I always feel so dumb, especially while I'm being trained for a job and getting to know everyone. I view myself as a bumbling idiot basically, hah
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