My Proudest Achievment

It's one of the easiest things to do for many, but I've been struggling to do it for most of my life.

Fear always held me back.

Girls were intimidating and almost alien, but at the same time I held them in high regard.

Asking a girl out seemed like a lofty and far-off goal.

I had told myself that it wasn't worth the rejection or that I wasn't good enough for anyone to consider dating.

When you tell yourself that for all your life, it's natural to retreat into an emotional shell.

My friends had tried supporting me, but I was too absorbed in myself to really accept their support.

Living alone for the rest of my life was my expectation for myself.

That's why it surprised me more than anyone else when I had decided to talk to a girl and ask her out.

My mind was blank and the words came out of my mouth without me realizing it.

She was flattered, but turned me down.

However, the real accomplishment was in the actions not the results.

It was like the world seemed a bit brighter.

Suddenly, girls didn't seem so scary and rejection didn't mean the end of the world for me.

It was a small step, but it's a step in the right direction.

That's not to say the fear of rejection isn't there.

I still struggle with my own confidence and rejection is a big factor, but it's not a far off goal anymore.

Just asking someone out has improved my self-image and shown me that I just have to put myself out there.