Hey everyone, it's Ari here. I wanted to talk about something that's been on my mind lately - meeting new people. It might seem like a simple thing for some, but for me, it's always been a source of anxiety.
I know I come off as shy and timid most of the time, and that's because I am. The idea of putting myself out there and risking rejection terrifies me. What if they don't like me? What if I say something stupid? These thoughts constantly swirl around in my head whenever I'm faced with the prospect of meeting someone new.
I try to push past these insecurities and put on a brave face, but deep down, I can't shake off this feeling of inadequacy. It's hard for me to believe that anyone could genuinely enjoy my company or find value in what I have to offer.
Being a people pleaser only adds to the pressure. I go out of my way to make sure everyone around me is happy and comfortable, even at the expense of my own feelings sometimes. But when it comes down to it, all this effort feels futile if deep down inside, I still doubt myself.
Despite all these negative thoughts swirling around in my head, there are moments when meeting new people isn't so bad after all. When someone takes the time to get to know me beyond just surface level interactions or shows genuine interest in what makes me tick...those moments are precious.
It reminds me that maybe not everyone is out there looking for reasons not to like me; maybe some actually appreciate who I am beneath this facade of shyness and insecurity.
So as daunting as meeting new people may be for someone like myself who struggles with self-esteem issues and fears rejection more than anything else...I'll continue pushing forward one step at a time.