Social Anxiety

. . Today I had a panic attack . . 

So I thought I'd take this opportunity to share my story and my experiences with anxiety.

I've dealt with anxiety since middle school but it has gotten worst over the years.

It started in middle school when kids would bully me for the way I dressed... 

So I began to develop social anxiety & I would feel scared and anxious arriving to school everyday. 

I was fearful of them judging me and criticizing me so I stopped dressing for myself and

I started dressing for them... I became a follower.

It continued throughout high school and even in college. 

When I began my journey on Youtube I thought everything would be fine because I 

didn't have an audience and no one was watching me or judging me,

but the more viewers I got, the more hate comments I received. 

It brought me back to my middle school years and my anxiety returned. 

Being on Youtube I have had the amazing opportunity to work with brands, companies

and even attend/host special events. It all seems so glamorous but many people don't know

that it takes a lot of courage to accept these opportunities because of my anxiety. 

When I attend events I easily get overwhelmed by the amount of people there.

I start to feel really hot, sweaty, claustrophobic, and rushed.

The idea of walking up to a crowd of people scares the crap out of me.

One year I went to Vidcon alone (bad idea) and I ended up leaving after 30 minutes

because I felt so alone and lost in a sea of people, even when I found familiar faces, 

I still felt so helpless and I just couldn't take it anymore and I went home and cried.

Sometimes I will lie and come up with excuses just to avoid attending events or

business opportunities because I'm too scared. This is a side I don't like showing people,

but I've realized that I'm not alone. There are a lot of people who feel the same way I do.

That encourages me to step out of my comfort zone and do bigger things with my life.

and you want to know a secret... most of the things we worry about, never even happen.

Although I'm actively trying to live a positive anxiety-free life, I still have my days

and it's okay... because tomorrow is a new day; a fresh new start and I'm going 

to take advantage of that opportunity to start over again and make it the best that I can.

Anxiety may try to control my life, and when it does I'll just take big deep breaths

and remember that life begins at the end of your comfort zone.

For those of you suffering with anxiety, I hope my story encourages you to step

out of your comfort zone. Just because you've identified that you have anxiety

doesn't mean it's something that you just have to live with for the rest of your life.

It means it's a new obstacle that you must overcome in order to experience life. 

I love you all so much and I wish you the best of luck!

xo Jackie