Post by annaa on Jul 7, 2007 19:38:31 GMT -5
A few weeks ago, I went to my usual writers meeting at the library. A lady who i'd never really spoken to asked me if I would be interested in doing a little environmental project that would involve approaching people on the street and getting them to sign a petition.
Now it's ironic that it was actually my social anxiety that made me say 'yes'. Sure, I hated the very thought of it. But the word 'no' just doesn't seem to be in my vocabulary. I find it very difficult to turn people down because i'm not really very assertive.
Well, today was the day that the project took place. I wanted to be a coward and back out at the last minute. If I was the same person I was a few months ago, i'd have got one of my parents to call this lady for me and cancel. But no, I made a commitment, and I was going to stick at it.
So for one hour this afternoon, I stood out on a busy street and approached people, wearing a bright pink coat no less! (The pink coats were given to all of the volunteers so people could identify us).
It was very (very very) difficult. Some people were a bit rude to me, but I suppose that's only to be expected. And as I looked at what the other volunteers were doing, it became really apparent that i'm still anxious and need to do some work. But the point i'm trying to make is that I survived it. I'm really proud of myself for sticking it out, even if it was only for an hour. I think I ended up with about 15 signatures.
Ok, now praise me everyone. ;D
Now it's ironic that it was actually my social anxiety that made me say 'yes'. Sure, I hated the very thought of it. But the word 'no' just doesn't seem to be in my vocabulary. I find it very difficult to turn people down because i'm not really very assertive.
Well, today was the day that the project took place. I wanted to be a coward and back out at the last minute. If I was the same person I was a few months ago, i'd have got one of my parents to call this lady for me and cancel. But no, I made a commitment, and I was going to stick at it.
So for one hour this afternoon, I stood out on a busy street and approached people, wearing a bright pink coat no less! (The pink coats were given to all of the volunteers so people could identify us).
It was very (very very) difficult. Some people were a bit rude to me, but I suppose that's only to be expected. And as I looked at what the other volunteers were doing, it became really apparent that i'm still anxious and need to do some work. But the point i'm trying to make is that I survived it. I'm really proud of myself for sticking it out, even if it was only for an hour. I think I ended up with about 15 signatures.
Ok, now praise me everyone. ;D
Befriend the trees...they are good listeners. ;D