Everything is Embarassing
Today’s internet culture means our most unflattering selves are prone to being recorded. Everyone you know is armed with a camera and a dangerous motive; the increasingly infinite potential to go viral. But even before the threat of virality, I was plagued by the fear that my most embarrassing moments would be captured in someone’s mind forever. Anxiety spiked through my veins and turned new experiences into death traps. At just the thought of saying or doing something wrong,my heart would start pounding in my chest and I would shake uncontrollably. This feeling isn’t unique only to me.
GIF Credit: Snoopy Scared
I know I’m not the only person who feels this way. Social anxiety amongst young people has been on the rise for quite some time. One study done in 2020 on young people across 7 countries revealed that 36% of respondents met the criteria for Social Anxiety Disorder. That’s more than 1 in 3! There’s constant pressure on all sides to put our best foot forward. From social media to our own social circles, we’re never not performing. Maybe our parents are right and it’s “because of that damn phone”, or maybe it’s something else entirely. Either way the issue is real and it isn’t going anywhere.
Contrary to what many of us may feel, the world doesn’t end when you fail or try something new. Recently I embarked on a mission to live more of my life. To do everything, even when I’m afraid because nothing will wait for me and my malfunctioning nervous system. I joined my friend in playing a sport - rugby - as a person who spends most of her time being stationary.
FIU, Ave Maria, and Embry Riddle Women’s Rugby teams
The world is a scary place and anxiety only makes it scarier. I’ve dropped the ball a million times, I freeze, I panic, and even now as I write this I can’t stop shaking because we have a game tomorrow. Despite my very unflattering mistakes and my ceaseless anxiety, the world hasn’t ended. Give people a chance to see your failures so that one day they may see you be great.
References:
Social anxiety in young people: A prevalence study in seven countries | PLOS One
Strike Out,
Moriah Higgs
Miami
Moriah Higgs is a junior at Florida International University majoring in Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communications. Moriah is a novice writer, with goals of writing pieces that reflect her interest in pop-culture, the complexities of modern life and love for exploring the current state of Western society. Outside of writing she enjoys making comic strips, painting, cooking, and going on adventures with friends.
