Growing up I was very timid. When I first started High School, I had the benefit of knowing one of the cool Seniors. The first few weeks I caught the train with him, and kind of hung out with him outside in the morning and afternoon.
The problem with me back then was that I didn’t have conversational skills. So this dude would bring me around his homies, and I’d be standing around like a fool. I never forget this one time that we were outside of the school. My friend and another Senior were talking about something, and I was just standing there like a freaking lump! My homeboy looks at me and says “Join the conversation.” To which I just shrugged and didn’t know what to say.
That sort of set the tone for my High School career. After that first year, my homeboy left, and I remained. As we established, I lacked the social skills to really engage, and I was extremely shy. Things only became worst after he left, so much so that I ended up dropping out of High School. That’s how bad it became.
Thankfully I grew out of that shell, and today I am more social than most people I know! Deep down inside, I am still that shy, scared young man. I won’t deny that, but I learned how to work around that. I also recovered in respect to my education and went on to earn not one, but two college degrees. I’ll always be grateful to my friend for trying to help transition me into High School, could I do it all over again, I’d have plenty to say! Thank you, brother.
Just a life long New Yorker sharing the journey through my lens. Please take note of a post’s date. The views I express here are subject to change and evolving as I grow and learn.
I think it takes time for people to feel comfortable with themselves, and break out of their shells. I’m happy for you that that eventually happened. I’m shy depending on the situation and who I’m around. New people, I tend to be most shy around… Not shy, but quiet because I like to observe before I engage.
I feel you. I can shut down and be quiet if I am not feeling people. Also like you, when in unknown groups, same thing, I watch. 🙂
I think it takes time for people to feel comfortable with themselves, and break out of their shells. I’m happy for you that that eventually happened. I’m shy depending on the situation and who I’m around. New people, I tend to be most shy around… Not shy, but, quiet because I like to observe before I engage.
I had some problems with shyness as a kid too, but now I’m only really shy when it comes to love. Always good to share this kind of stuff, because you can inspire someone else to come out of their shell 🙂
Absolutely. That is my hope that people can learn from my experiences and grow from them. 🙂
Angel, what a beautiful story of overcoming a huge obstacle in your life. I’m so glad you overcame and now use your voice to share stories with the world. Your bio is outstanding as I’m sure you are as a person.
Thanks for the kind words, Natasha. I’m aight. LOL. You never fully overcome being shy, but you learn how to work around it. There have been a few events where I started shutting down, and starting to become miserable and uncomfortable. Then I chin check myself and have a mental conversation, “Dude, you took time out of your day to come here. Don’t waste it. Make the most of it.” And then I usually recover, but I still have those fears I did then. I just handle them better, and I refuse to waste my time. 🙂 If I am truly miserable somewhere, I just excuse myself and leave.