How do I feel about inviting an unknown stranger to peek into my world? Not great. As an introvert, there’s something inherently uncomfortable about putting myself out there, even if it’s just through words.
I can already hear the internal monologue: “Will people think I’m lame? What’s the point of publishing when diaries exist?” And the list goes on.
This is the voice of conditioned self-doubt and unnecessary perfectionism—a ghostly apparition from the past that once protected me but no longer serves me.
It’s funny, isn’t it? That the ghost of an invisible audience can feel so intimidating.
But I’ve come to realize that if my goal is to be more authentic, I need to be comfortable sharing my thoughts, vulnerabilities, and experiences. This will lead to more genuine conversations and connections.
So, even though choosing to be myself feels a lot like walking into a haunted house, I remind myself that everything takes practice. And the best part? Every time I do it, the fear shrinks a little—because the fifth haunted house is never as scary as the first.
When I think of it this way, newness isn’t something to survive—it’s an exciting invitation to explore. And in this perspective shift, I can learn to see “publish” as a creative exploration of the parts that make me, me.
After all, what’s scarier: staying hidden, or never knowing what could have happened if you let yourself be truly seen? I’m choosing growth over fear, and connection over isolation.
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