A little jog down memory lane…

I know it’s hard for some to imagine, but for many years I experienced agoraphobia (the fear of leaving my home). For the longest time Facebook kept me connected to the world and to others. When Covid hit in 2020, the world finally became accessible. It was awesome. Suddenly I could attend programs and talk to so many more people because everything moved online. It’s only been in the last few years that I’ve grown into myself and come out of my shell, although I’m still timid and introverted by nature. I still love to be alone.

This may seem shocking to some as my advocacy has taught me how to feign extroversion. I’ve gotten used to talking with strangers. My recovery has also led me to gaining confidence in myself, which I’m grateful for. Facebook Memories like this (art piece below), however , remind me of where I’ve come from—of for how long I saw and experienced the world mainly through a screen. I feel blessed to finally be a part of an in person community (and actually feel as if I’m welcome there and that I belong). It means a lot.

Art by Polish artist Pawel Kuczynski

This piece came up in Facebook Memories. I originally shared it 12 years ago.