Why do unknown numbers scare you?

The title of this e-mail, albeit true as a statement on it’s own, relates to a slightly bigger picture that I’d like to paint for you.

When I was a kid right, looking back now I feel like my mum treated me as a social experiment.

(Honestly I have a tendency to exaggerate, but every single example below is 100% fact).

She made me go buy her underwear at Vicky S when i was 12.

She made me perform singing solos to people working the tills at tesco.

She’d tell me ‘we just need to nip into the pharmacy to pick up my prescription’ then at the desk would tell the person at the counter that i had hemorrhoids.

She used to pick me up from school in a horse box sometimes, and make me sit in the back.

As I sit here writing this I’m thinking the same as you. What the fuck.

Now fortunately…

I couldn’t have asked for a better mum, she combined the above with displays of affection, lots of attention, and i was told that i was loved pretty frequently, thank god.

But I tell you what. IF I have kids (a HUGE if, that’s another e-mail), I am 1000% doing the same to them.

Because there isn’t a single social situation anymore that makes me uncomfortable.

I find public speaking really easy, calming, and enjoyable.

I see parties where I don’t know anyone, and staying in hostels where I don’t even speak the language, as an opportunity and something to look forward to, instead of something stressful.

I can film myself doing anything, anywhere, at anytime with no care about who’s watching or wondering.

And given that my mum truly embodies what it means to be a ‘marmite’ person (google it), I was shown from a very young age that I am going to be disliked by people.

Now here’s where you may disagree with me, or find this e-mail controversial (which is awesome, i encourage debates on this).

As a human being, a functioning member of society, I believe you SHOULD be able to approach anyone, at anytime, and ask them anything, without ‘anxiety’.

Asking for directions, how to use chopsticks, a spare towel at the swimming pool, where someone got their t-shirt from, for somebody’s number etc…

Is NORMAL.

If you feel like you can’t do those things, I think that’s a problem you need to get some help with.

Because otherwise, what if you have kids, and they see you unable to do it?

Why not start by picking up the phone to the next unknown number call you receive?

Food for thought ey.