I’m the extrovert now.

Who would have thought, that after all those years of doing everything to avoid walking up to people, I’d be forced into doing it out of necessity? Not that I equate talking with "extroversion" but let's be real here, I'd rather clean the bathroom than walk up to a stranger and ask for directions.

I’ve done a stellar job so far to outsource calling, asking for directions, ordering items, etc. For the majority of my life, my mom has been the go-to person in handling those things on my behalf. God forbid I had to call and make a dentist appointment. Or deal with administrative calls to insurance companies. Bleh, no thank you. 

But then I got married. Where are you mommyyyyy!

Lucky for me, my husband the extrovert loves calling, negotiating, bartering, confrontation, etc. 

Perfect! 

He handles all the calls related to our combined lives. I never have to talk to the exterminator. Phew. He also always knows what I want to order. Yay. If I need to ask for directions, or how much something costs, I direct him towards the person who has the information.

I'm definitely good at directing.

Things have been smooth sailing for me. I managed to make the few calls needed in my life, but everything else is taken care of. Until now.

See, we’re spending the month in France, in the countryside. 

Our backyard consists of cows roaming around and munching grass at all hours of the day. Pure bliss. Couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend my time. Except for the fact that I now have to tag along at every outing, and go into every store, and talk to every person, because I’m the only one that speaks French. Mais oui, la vache qui rit.

I’d tell you it’s fine but it’s really not, because...

1. I haven’t spoken French in about 10+ years. Sure, I’m fluent, but it’s not like I practice every day to feel confident in it. 

2. Masks are REQUIRED everywhere here in France which makes it that much more terrorizing. Not only do I have to take the time to find my words but I have to make sure the other person hears them. Sacre-bleu!

My social anxiety is kind of knocking on the door right now, asking to come in “Est-ce que je peux entrer?”. I refuse to let it. I’m going to knock it out of the ballpark, even if I have to roll my Rrrrrr’s over and over to be understood. I will help out because I’m needed, but also because it’s a challenge I’m willing to take on.

Are you willing to challenge Social Anxiety?