On being shy

I used to be shy - can you believe that?

If you look at my silly pictures, read my off-the-wall comments I make about myself, or read the list of things I've been involved with at UC Davis you would never be able to tell.

But when I was little, I used to ignore people if I met them for the first time. Even if they stood right in front of me and asked a question like "How old are you?" I would stare at the ground and do simple math calculations in my head (I was a nerdy little four year old). I don't know when I grew out of that, but I continued that behavior through first grade.

Recently I've had difficulties talking to people I don't have a close working relationship with. I actually saw two former professors and a TA in the last two weeks who know me - or at least recognize me - but I did not say "Hello."

Some may think this is not a problem, that EVERYONE is a little anti-social every once in a while. But in the not-so-distant past I actually missed a week of school because of the social anxiety. I used to think it was crazy but I was fine until I went public with this problem and was told I needed help - haha, I knew that!

I'm feel bad about ignoring people; walking past them as I stare at the floor. So this weeks I will start saying "Hello!" with a big smile.