Taming Social Anxiety by Violet

Taming Social Anxiety by Violet - May 2026 Scholarship Essay

Since fifth grade I have struggled with public speaking, even in small groups. Any presentation, any time I had to read a part of the text, or read the question the class had to answer, I would freeze up and go silent. I would try my hardest to read what was on the paper or on the board, yet my body never left me. I was always stuck having to feel everyone's eyes on me as I started to panic and cry. It wasn't until enough time passed when the teacher would get annoyed and read the question itself, or if I stepped out of the class and the teacher would move on to the next person who was supposed to present. Eventually, it would start affecting my life outside of school. My mom could tell me to ask a store employee if they had a certain thing, and I would freeze up and beg her not to make me, or I would go to the store and want something behind the counter, yet be too scared to even ask that I would just leave without it. It clawed at me every time something came up, and I hated myself for it.

It wasn't until eighth grade, when my mom got me signed up for weekly therapy to help with my anxiety. The first few weeks were rough especially since I also struggled talking with adults. Yet, after a few months of talking out my struggles, finding strategies that calm me down, and finding ways so that I wouldn't be so nervous while in front of the class, I started making small accomplishments. To most, it was the bare minimum, but, my friends, family, therapist, and myself knew that I had learned how to manage my anxiety better than when I started therapy. I was able to present in front of a small group of students by looking at the top of their heads or at the back most wall in the class, I was able to read a question or paragraph by having a small fidget in my hands to slightly distract me, and I was able to ask cashiers for something when I needed it.

I admit, today, I still struggle with social anxiety. I can't present a project when I'm on my own, and I still have to prepare myself mentally when I have to do something before I do it. Even so, therapy has helped me a lot in life, and I will continue to push myself to become the best person I can, even if it takes years to accomplish. I am forever grateful that I was able to let go of some of my struggles to overall improve my overall life in the long run.