STEPPING OUT OF MY SOCIAL ANXIETY ZONE.
I was assigned to conduct street interviews on the topic "If you were to write a book guiding people on adulthood, what would you write on?" Initially, anxiety held me back due to my shy nature. However, with support from friends and a push from within, I completed the task and surprisingly enjoyed it. Through this experience, I discovered my ability to overcome fears and felt proud of myself. It was a valuable lesson in stepping out of my comfort zone and realizing that sometimes all it takes is a little push to achieve something amazing.
Emilia O. 
I am Emilia, and in this article, I’d be sharing a personal experience that started with a lot of anxiety but turned into something I genuinely enjoyed and felt proud of.
So, the topic was “If you were to write a book that guides people on adulthood, what would you write on?” And , for me, If I were to write a book that guides people on adulthood, I would focus on the importance of valuing and nurturing friendships. I believe that as we grow older, we realize more and more how much we need the right people around us and in those moments, it’s true friends who stand by us. Unfortunately, many young people today see friendships as something transactional or something to maintain casually without real effort. It’s disheartening how we’ve begun to take our friendships and relationships for granted. That’s why I would dedicate my book to reminding people about the beauty of genuine connections and the need to hold them dearly.
It all began when my supervisor informed us, the interns, that we’d be taking part in a street interview exercise. The moment I heard those words, my first thought was, “God, please!” I’ve always been a shy person, and the idea of approaching random people — let alone interviewing them — was completely out of my comfort zone. I had no idea how to begin or what it would feel like.
About a week later, our supervisor assigned us our individual topics. Mine was: “If you were to write a book guiding people on adulthood, what would you write on?” The moment I saw it, my heart started racing. Not only was I nervous about talking to strangers, I was also swamped with schoolwork and couldn’t imagine where I’d find the time or the courage to pull it off. I kept putting it aside, focusing on lectures and assignments, until I finally promised myself I’d do it on a Thursday.
On that Thursday morning, I arrived at school and told a few of my coursemates about the interview. I asked if they could help me film, and thankfully, they agreed. To be honest, I was briefly tempted to just interview them and pretend I’d found them randomly on the street. It would’ve been so much easier. But then I paused and asked myself, “Why not just try this properly? Who knows — it might even help ease some of the social anxiety you’ve been dealing with.” I kept questioning whether I could really do it, but somehow, I convinced myself to try.
The first hurdle was technical. I didn’t have a microphone and had to figure out how to use another phone as one. I was completely confused at first and started calling everyone I knew for advice. Thankfully, a friend came through and patiently explained how to make it work. That small win gave me a little boost of confidence.
Then came the real challenge: finding my first interviewee. I spotted a girl nearby who looked approachable, took a deep breath, and asked if she’d be willing to answer a quick question. To my surprise, she was kind, relaxed, and answered without hesitation. In that moment, I felt an unexpected sense of fulfillment. I thought, “If I can do this once, maybe I can do it again.”
Not long after, my coursemates spotted another girl and encouraged me to approach her. I was still nervous but pulled myself together and went for it. She was equally friendly, and before I knew it, I was starting to enjoy the experience. It was becoming less scary and, surprisingly, even a little fun.
A few steps later, I noticed a guy nearby and decided to interview him as well— by this time, I was already having that courage. He agreed, and while his response turned into a bit of a lecture, everything he said made sense. I appreciated his enthusiasm. By that point, I could feel my confidence growing, I started believing I could keep going if I had more time and I was eager to get more people.
Unfortunately, when I checked the time, I realized I was already late for class. I decided to interview just one more person before wrapping up. Luckily, the last person I approached was easygoing and kind, and he made it so easy for me. We even shared a quick laugh before I asked the question, and his response was humorous, thoughtful and genuine. It felt like the perfect note to end on.
After everything, I felt a huge sense of relief and happiness. A big part of me had been so afraid to even attempt it, and yet with the support of my coursemates, especially one who helped with filming and lent me her phone for the mic and a little push from within, I made it through. I felt proud of myself.
Looking back now, I realize how important that experience was for me. To others, it might have seemed like a simple assignment, but for someone who struggles with public speaking and approaching strangers, it meant so much more. It taught me that sometimes, the hardest part is just starting and that when you give yourself a chance, you might discover strength you didn’t know you had. I’m grateful I did, and it’s a memory I’ll always cherish.
