Insecurities

Overthinking “hi.” The social anxiety Olympics, level one: simply greeting someone. For years, the simple act of saying “hi” was […]

Fainting fear. Vasovagal syncope, the official term for that charming tendency to faint when stressed or overwhelmed. Crowds, enclosed spaces,

Shaky voice. The telltale sign of nerves, anxiety, and public speaking dread. For years, my voice would tremble at the

Phone calls. In a world of texts and emails, they feel like relics of a bygone era, especially for the

Compliments. They’re supposed to be nice, right? But for the socially anxious, they can feel like spotlights, instantly triggering a

My laugh. Let’s just say it’s…distinctive. A honking, snorting, slightly alarming sound that often elicits more stares than chuckles. For

Small talk: the social lubricant that for some of us feels more like social sandpaper. Those endless, looping conversations about

Parties: the social Olympics. For the socially anxious, they can feel less like celebrations and more like endurance tests. My

“Too tall.” Towering, gangly, always standing out in a crowd. For years, I felt self-conscious about my height. Felt like

“Uneven eyes.” Asymmetrical, slightly mismatched, not perfectly symmetrical. For years, I felt self-conscious about mine. Felt like they made my