Hello everyone it's nice having you on this space.
Growing up, i have always be this timid, shy and introverted child. I was usually on my own. You couldn't find me outside playing or associating with other kids my age. If i wanted to play, i would play alone or with my siblings which was on rare occasions. You could beat me and i wouldn't retaliate, rather, i would hide somewhere and cry. There was a time i think i was about 12 years old, i and my younger siblings where having a disagreement rather than confronting as the eldest i resulted to crying. My dad almost flogged me for always feeling intimidated by my younger siblings.
Another scenerio was when i was wrongly accused by my classmates in primary school, and the teacher ended up flogging me because i wouldn't say anything to counter what they said because i was scare or too afraid to speak out.
This behavior of mine followed me to the university that i had no social life. Speaking in public was an issue that whenever a lecturer ask me a question in class, i would get goosebumps and my voice would shake. It wasn't because i didn't know the answer, but because i was scared to speak out or was afraid of being laughed at. I had always loved volleyball as a sport, but i couldn't bring my self to join the club because i always felt people were looking at me and that knowledge sent shivers down my spine.
So staying on my own was the best option. I missed out on so much fun and social activities because i was timid and shy. After my youth service i was at home with a skill i had learnt years back, but was afraid to start. Most nights i would get inspiration and ideas of how to make use of my skills financially rather than waiting for any white collar jobs. However, the fear of starting and failing was so strong that i stayed close to six months jobless and depending on others.
But thankfully i am adapting and learning though it's one step at a time. So if am to talk to my younger self, i would tell her to live life, to experience all the stages of growth and the world, because that only happens once. I would tell her to start and fail and try again rather than running from it. I would tell her to speak out, let the world hear her voice, let them experience all that's in you rather than lock it all up. Life only happens once and it's best to live it making memories you can hold on to rather than hiding away.
Here's the link to the prompt if you will like to participate.
@indiaunited/indiaunited-new-contest-and-last-192f8ed44b352
Images used are mine
Thank you for reading.
