A moment of uncharacteristic shyness

[jedusor]

Well, not really a moment. More of a semester-long hangup.

For my big history group project on the New Deal, I'm supposed to either research an initiative that affected the Kansas City area or interview someone who was born before 1931. It seems like a no-brainer: I like talking to people, I'm editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, and I live right next to a friendly elderly couple. But the project is due Friday, and until today, I hadn't done a single thing.

It took me three months to work up the courage to call them. I couldn't even walk next door and ask for an interview. What on earth? Is this really me? You all know me- I'm hardly a timid person. It might have had something to do with having to ask about their age, and it might have had something to do with Henry getting mad at my mom for not helping shovel the snow that one time last fall, but things like that don't usually bug me. Certainly not enough for me to let it hold up my project for three months.

I just called, and Henry cheerfully informed me that he was born in 1928 and would be happy to help me however he could. It was incredibly easy, and my life would be a hell of a lot simpler this week had I done it when we first got the assignment on the first day of class.

The lesson: if the only risk is a snub, just do it. What's the point in letting nerves win out when the worst they can say is "no"?

Comments

[rpipuzzleguy.livejournal.com]

I can't shake the feeling you wrote this with me in mind. ;-)

[jedusor.livejournal.com]

It's a hangup that a lot of people have, but that I don't experience often at all. The incident made me understand the feelings that some of my friends (including you, yes) have tried to express to me, and I wrote the post in the attempt to help them understand the attitude I normally have toward such situations.

(PS I have something for you. Am debating whether to mail it or just bring it to con.)

[imagines.livejournal.com]

The lesson: if the only risk is a snub, just do it. What's the point in letting nerves win out when the worst they can say is "no"?

Because if they say no, you and they will remember it every time you see each other, and you will feel silly and stupid every time you remember, and they will think you are silly and stupid every time they remember. It's better to be quietly silly and stupid, than to allow other people to notice.

...or so goes my reasoning, whenever I'm faced with the prospect of someone maybe saying no. Knowing something is irrational doesn't always make it easier to stop believing it's true.

Good luck with your project. :)