One of our younger followers wanted to share her story: When I was in primary school, I realised that I wasn’t like other kids. I had a desire to always keep my books neat, no folded pages, and I isolated myself from everyone. I was worried that people would think that I was weird and that they didn’t want to be around me. Throughout my primary school years I began to hang out with people that I had nothing in common with. I was with the ‘cool’ group. I changed myself completely so that people would like me. I didn’t want to be recognised as the ‘human dictionary’ or ‘teacher’s pet’. However this friendship only lasted one year when I was in year five. In year six, I found my group, however I’m now in year 12 and I don’t talk to my former best friend and one of my closest guy friends. When I was in year 7 I didn’t know who to be with. However I did find a group of friends who I hung out with. Despite this, I was with people who constantly put me down, ridiculed me; but I thought that was normal. I deliberately changed myself again; I didn’t know who I was anymore. These people brought out the stress in me, not the best in me. I am now in my final year of high school and I am proud to say that I am me. I have found my group who I am proud to be myself around, they understand who I am, they challenge me to be the best that I can be. What motivated me to implement this change in both my friendship group and myself? My grandmother, she told me to always feel comfortable in my own skin. I am still determined to not let anxiety define me. I am proud to say that I am halfway there, I’ve stepped out my comfort zone, I am more comfortable in talking to people that I normal wouldn’t and I have a close relationship with my whole year level. Even though we have anxiety, we must remember that we are still unique individuals. And that with perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves that we can break through.
Posted on: Fri, 09 May 2014 05:00:01 +0000