HOW I SURVIVE BEING MY OWN WORST ENEMY BY MACKENZIE LESHER

Ever since I can remember I’ve had this intense fear of judgement.

Over the years this paralyzing fear has kept me from doing many things like dance classes, joining clubs, and reaching out and making friends. I would always find things I wish I could do but then wouldn’t do them because I was afraid of failing or seeming weird. I was so afraid of the judgment I had the potential to receive that I lived in constant stress to always appear perfect in every way. 

The biggest issue here is that in reality, nobody was judging me but myself. I was the only one holding myself back.

Only recently did I start managing the voice of negativity screaming in my head. With the help of all of my friends that I have made during my time in college, I have been able to break barriers that I never imagined I could.

I think the amazing people I’ve met and all of the new experiences that I’ve had have allowed me to be able to turn the volume down on the voice in my head telling me no. 

While I wouldn't consider myself cured, I am definitely on the way there and getting better with each new experience I have.