You know, Megan had a social media account where she posted things every other day, sometimes more often if she felt like it. Most of her content was photos of herself looking to the side as if she were thinking about something, but she wasn't really thinking anything. You know, the typical model pose. Other times, she posted videos reacting to memes she found funny, although she never laughed as hard as she pretended. Her account had quite a few followers. Nothing impressive, but enough that every time someone new from work or a class added her, they would say something like, "I love your content." She would respond with emojis, gifs, with fake enthusiasm, but it was already automatic. It was like opening your mouth and yawning when you see someone else do it. You don't think about it, it just happens.
Anyone who saw her on social media could swear she was a very funny and charismatic person. But in person, Megan was something else. She was just quieter. She was actually super shy and had social phobia. She practically lived in two worlds. One on social media, where she seemed like a diva, and another where even asking someone the time was a struggle. She didn't leave the house much and earned money through her social media views. So her social anxiety problem was getting worse. No one really noticed because, since she already had that online presence, people assumed she was extroverted, or at least talkative.
But no. In the hallways, at meetings, at group lunches, Megan was almost always on her phone. She wasn't really chatting, she just didn't know where else to look. In her 25 years, she'd never had many friends. So her family get-togethers were only with her closest relatives. But this vicious cycle was about to change.
One day, while she was waiting in line to buy an empanada, she heard a voice right behind her. He was saying something about how ridiculous it was that the juice was more expensive than the empanada, as if the fruit had gold inside. Megan didn't turn around; she just smiled with her head down. She laughed softly anyway. And then she heard: "Did you laugh or was it a sneeze?" And then she turned around a little. She was a girl with a pretty strong temper. So Megan's world fell apart; she didn't know what to say. But just as she was watching the fight on the air, the girl recognized her and told her she was following her on social media. And things calmed down. Eventually, the two took a photo.
After that brief exchange, they started running into each other more often. Because they ran into each other at that same food stand. In the cafeteria, on the benches in the hallway, even at the bus stop. They didn't talk much. Sometimes they didn't even greet each other with words, like raising an eyebrow. The girl's name was Monica, and she had a very casual way of being. She didn't give the impression that she was trying to be liked by anyone, or even to fit in. And that caught Megan's attention. Because she felt that everything she did, even when she didn't do anything, was an attempt to appear something. Monica, on the other hand, didn't seem to be pretending anything. Although maybe she was, she just hid it better.
One time, they decided to have coffee together. At this point, Megan couldn't stand her current life any longer. Although she appeared happy online, her life was increasingly miserable because she needed contact with real people. This meant things like talking, going for walks, and riding bikes with friends. All of these feelings made her depressed. But this time over coffee, she confessed how she felt to her new friend. Her friend comforted her and told her that she used to be like that, but that she couldn't break the vicious cycle of loneliness and depression until she went with the flow.
After that, Megan asked Monica how she managed to break out of that state. She told her it was thanks to a series of actions she took. For example, she decided to expose herself more to uncomfortable situations and gradually lost her embarrassment. It was also very important that she decided to be herself, both online and in real life.
Megan told her that she wanted to be like her but didn't have the willpower. Then Monica promised she would help her. First, Monica got her out of her comfort zone and took her to record videos for her social media in public places. She also organized social gatherings where she invited her so she could meet new people. The best part was that she taught her to be herself and not to post someone who wasn't her on social media. That way, it would be easier for her to show herself in public. Over time, Megan overcame her shyness and now records videos with Monica. They are the two best friends. And remember, my friend, you can leave shyness behind too. Just be yourself.
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