“I didn’t think that getting on the mats would help me come out of my shell.”
I’m Emma, and this is how Jiu-Jitsu helped me get over my shyness around other people.
Since I can remember, being around other people has always been the hardest thing for me. Meeting new people, starting talks, or even being in crowded places was very stressful.
For most of my life, I avoided everything that made me feel bad, like social events, group activities, etc.
“Even the smallest interactions can feel impossible when anxiety takes over your life.”
When I turned 30, I knew I couldn’t keep living that way. I chose to step out of my comfort zone because I was sick of being locked up in my own thoughts.
A friend of mine became very excited about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu after doing it for a while. She said it was the best way to not only get in shape but also feel better about yourself.
I thought at first, “No way.” It made my hands sweat to think about being so close to strangers.
“The things that scare you the most are often the things you need the most.”
In the end, though, I chose to jump. I chose to take my first Jiu-Jitsu class because I thought that if I could handle that much pain, I could handle more in life.
My heart was racing when I walked into the gym that day.
Fear filled my heart at the thought of trying something new in front of people I didn’t know. Even though I was scared, I got on the mats anyway.
It was hard in the first class. I wasn’t good at any of the moves, and I felt weird the whole time. But here’s the thing: everyone was so nice.
They were not judging me; instead, they were cheering me on. For the first time, I didn’t feel stressed out when I was with a group.
“Letting go of the fear of what other people think helps you grow.”
I kept going to class after class. When I walked into the gym, I felt a little better every time.
I started to talk to people, make friends, and even joke around with other students during breaks. I felt safe when I did Jiu-Jitsu.
“The scariest things can become the most comfortable places for you.”
Even after a few years, I’m still training. I still have social nervousness, but it’s a lot easier to deal with now.
I learned how to be comfortable in tough settings through Jiu-Jitsu, not just how to defend myself.
“Being confident doesn’t mean not being afraid; it means being able to keep going even when you’re scared.”
I’ve learned to trust myself more than I ever thought I could, made friends, and grown stronger.
People who have social anxiety or just feel stuck should do something out of their comfort zone. It could be anything that makes you think in a new way. For me, it was Jiu-Jitsu.
“The first step is the hardest and most important.”
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