Bees, seaweed and teenagers
Friday June 20 2008
By Alanna Wilson, Guest Columnist
I remember in Grade 7, walking all by myself through the big town of Erin to my friend’s house. I felt very grown-up in what I thought at the time were very cool platform sandals.
Suddenly I spotted them — two of them — teenaged girls, walking toward me. It was too late to take a different route, so I looked down at my feet and strode bravely ahead. While I was concentrating on disappearing, I twisted my ankle and flew (honestly, like a flying squirrel) across a nearby lawn and the two of them passed in a poorly suppressed fit of giggles.
I’ve always been fairly shy. I love socializing but the approaching factor has never been my strong point, especially approaching people between sixteen and twenty-five (it used to be between thirteen and nineteen, perhaps when I am ninety no one will scare me, I will be super grandma).
My biggest fears for as long as I can remember have been of bees, seaweed and, deadliest of all, teenagers. But why you ask? The third may seem like an odd fear since I have officially been a teen for four years, but it is everyone else who is scary, not me.
Things would be so much easier if other teens would randomly walk up to me with a “Hey! Whats new?” I would be delighted to stop and chat, but I suppose it is hard to approach someone who is hiding from you, and what if my fear really isn’t all that odd? What if we are all hiding out in the bathroom from each other? You’d be surprised how many friends I’ve actually made there.
I’ve come to realize that we all have this fear to some degree, of rejection or of being judged, but that most people (even teens!) are a lot like me.
I remember the first time Lee Ann, my supervisor, assigned me to do “streeters” where I would have to approach people (by myself!) on the street, ask them a question, and take their picture. I tried to conceal my horror with a sloppy smile. It took me more than a month before I completed my goal — yes, I approached a teenager! Two of them at once! And they were nice!
I have done a lot of growing this year, and have found myself talking with people everywhere I go. I have more confidence in dealing with people than ever before, whether it’s making conversation with someone in line at the convenience store or conducting an interview for The Banner.
I sometimes still cringe, have the urge to duck into a store or leap into some nearby bushes when I see a big group of teens walking toward me, but I try to give them a smile instead of trying to disappear. I can look back on my Grade 7 experience, and all the others and laugh. And I think it is time to reevaluate my top three fears of bees, seaweed and developed deathly fear of needles. I’ve made progress :)
Alanna Wilson is a co-op student from Erin District high school.
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