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Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Conquering Fears




To look at me you would think I enjoy being noticed, being in the limelight and center of conversation... considering I am a blogger, now do YouTube, and live weekly chats on my FB fan page, you would think I am outgoing.  If you were to meet me in person and had a conversation with me, you would think I was a social butterfly.   All of the above is so far from the truth. Truth be told I am filled with anxiety, social and situational, and inside I am always in a panic, an instant fight or flight mode. Fear might as well be my middle name. Somehow throughout my life I have been able to hide the outward appearance of these issues, even in situations where I swear I am going to either throw up or pass out. I have built a persona, that is like another personality, that I can hide behind and not show that I am just a bowl of quivering jello. Oh do not get me wrong, I do like people, and can be very chatty, but it seems to be a nervous reaction the latter part, because for so many years I was a shy wallflower and could barely say a word when meeting new people and quite often came off as rude or stand offish. 


There would have been a time when I would never have thought or considered putting myself out there either through the written word or otherwise. I hated talking about myself. It was always hard to let anyone in. I never wanted to be in front of the camera, and would only do so when others would request a photo to be sent to them, such as family members or pen pals. I could never look at a photo and not see what was wrong ( in my eyes) either physically or even deeper, the pain and discomfort behind the smile, when I could muster one. Then came social media and it seemed it was necessary, expected, even in the early days when it was just myspace ; people wanted to see what you looked like. Then once I started blogging, an outlet for my pent up emotions and a form of self therapy to deal with my deep depression over my life situations ( in the beginning of this blog) , it became more so evident that people wanted to put a face with the words, clip art and old time photos was not going to cut it all the time. Fast forward to finally relenting and getting an Instagram account, and it was not just expected but almost demanded.  I never wanted to be a pin up or selfie junkie, I am simply a retro housewife in a modern world. 



It became a necessity to put myself out there more and more however when I decided that I wanted to start a promotional business for retro products; something that occurred quite by accident when someone asked me if I would share their products.   I could not just simply share the products, as that did not seem to garner as many likes which is sort of the point, to have things seen... I noticed when I shared myself more along side the products that it helped quite a bit.  I once used to have to wait for people to not be looking in the early days, hubby and I would go to a deserted part of a street or location, or he would sneak photos if it was too busy to do otherwise. Quite often not many photos would make it onto the blog or other social media platforms as you could see the fear shining through on my face or in my body language. I can not always hide it....and it was not just the fear and anxiety that would show it was my battle with my chronic pain issues from fibromyalgia and arthritis among a few other physical ailments. No one was ever the wiser, as I only shared the best of the best and even then not as many as I was not yet on Instagram. 



Flash forward to now. and my Instagram feed is full of photos, as are my blogs. Photos taken while people are walking by, standing and watching, or even asking to be a part of them at times. I am even going to be going on what I am calling the Ruby's Musings Blogging Tour, turning my vacation with my husband into a working promotional trip and even *GASP* a meet and greet opportunity to both meet fans and potential clients. There is even to be a professional photo shoot, not just my husband on the cell phone....and vlog episodes that are possibly going to be included on the online documentary Pinup The Movie! I have nearly made myself sick from the anxiety, sheer panic and trepidation surrounding this. To prepare I went to a large car show in the area and had photos taken and met with fellow retrophiles/pin ups and went to Reno and spoke to a shop keeper there as mentioned in my last blog, getting used to chatting with a possible client. I have so much weighing on this as I also put a call out for sponsorship, never truly expecting too many to respond or step up and when a few larger companies did just that, trusting in me to send me not just small items but full outfits to wear and promote. It put a lot more pressure on myself and as I want to make them happy and glad that they have given me the chance to be a brand ambassador for their companies/products. It is not just the larger companies, but smaller home based businesses as well that are counting on me to get the word out and build up sales! My friends and family keep telling me "you got this!" , " you are going to do wonderfully" , etc etc , and inside is that shy wall flower that really just keeps screaming " what did you get yourself into??" ; time will tell and hopefully I can conquer my fears and great things will come of my efforts and help me get past my anxiety and panic over it all. 




15 comments:

  1. Thank you from another retro housewife that deals with anxiety and depression also. I rarely like to have pictures taken of me. If I get dressed up in a cute retro dress though then I am halfway there! I look forward to seeing your posts and pictures from your upcoming tour!

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    1. You are very welcome...I am sorry you suffer also, I hope it brings some comfort to know you are not alone.

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  2. These photos are lovely, and this is such a great post <3 xxx

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  3. This is a great post too. I have general anxiety disorder and have lots of fears about Health, my own and my husbands, as well as a phobia of doctors even though we are well and also some social anxiety. I always feel awkward and nervous but dressing up had helped make me braver too. Your a great role model

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    1. I am so sorry you suffer as well....but proud and happy you are finding your way. Thanks so much for your support.

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    2. I am so sorry you suffer as well....but proud and happy you are finding your way. Thanks so much for your support.

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  4. That is exacly how i felt before when i was younger but when i opened the shop i had to put my feelings & fear aside and now days i usually dont think so much about it :)

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    1. What shop is that? That's so great you overcame the fear.

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  5. You just described me to a T. It's a struggle to even leave my home for work some days. Like you I am also good at putting on a good front in social situations but I am never truly comfortable and would much prefer to be at home .

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    1. It's truly sad so many of us go through these things ....I wish it wasn't so.

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  6. Excellent, soulful, and highly relatable post, dear Ruby. I found myself nodding throughout your words and think that it is many of these very things that often help to make us such excellent and devoted bloggers. Whereas we may encounter challenges in person when it comes to being shy/introverted, with the written word, we can let our voice ring out loud and clear and finally feel as though we can talk until our heart's content. I know that such as truly been one of the most rewarding and personally transformative (not to mention therapeutic) elements of blogging for me. It's awesome that blogging has had many positive impacts on your life and that you're able to share more about yourself and your passions here with us. The vintage community is certainly a lovelier place thanks to your presence in it.

    xoxo ♥ Jessica

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  7. "you got this!" , " you are going to do wonderfully"

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