As a shy, introverted girl, I know that panicked feeling you get when someone cute even glances in your direction. The sweaty armpits, the blushing cheeks, the rapid heartbeat, the way your eyes flit glances over in his general direction. The similar feeling arises when I meet anyone new, for that matter, or when I'm forced out of my comfort zone in any situation. As a college freshman, this has happened to me more times than I can count in my first semester "adulting" and attempting to live life on my own. To conquer life's challenges, I have comprised a list of suggestions for just about every scenario below, as told by Harry Potter GIFs.
1. Take a deep breath.
I know this sounds sort of old-hat, but this really works to begin the calming process. The reason this works is obvious - you're getting more oxygen in to your brain so you can think clearly and focus on the task at hand. Whether that task is getting up the nerve to say hello to that cute guy you've been eyeing for weeks or realizing that you may need to change your major, you're now ready to tackle the problem.
2. Be brave.
A wise old wizard named Albus Dumbledore once said, "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends." Be confident in yourself - you know what you want! Now, go get it. Neville believes in you.
3. Understand yourself.
Sometimes, you may feel a range of emotions about certain situations. For example, I procrastinate hardcore when it comes to practicing clarinet or piano. In order to get through that, I had to understand my fear of not being good enough and the daunting idea that other people can hear me in a practice room. Once I figured out how to motivate myself to get through what sounds like a simple part of my day that should be beneficial, life got a whole lot easier.
4. Know you are not alone.
On the contrary, Ron Weasley. Chances are that someone has been where you are and someone feels the exact same way that you do at this very moment. I'm not saying that your problems don't mean as much because of that, but rather I want you to find hope in the idea that someone has gone through what you are doing and made it out alive.
5. Take care of yourself.
In order to be at your best and be prepared for what life throws at you, you must be at your healthiest. Be sure to eat healthily and get plenty of sleep. I know, what do college kids know of sleep? That's why naps are a glorious thing.
6. Take time for yourself.
Along with number five, you should take time to do something for yourself every day. This helps you stay focused on other tasks at hand and stay true to yourself every single day. Find a passion or a hobby - take dance lessons, play an instrument, read a book. Stimulate your mind and expand your horizons.
7. Speak up for yourself.
Maybe you don't have to go to this extent, but you should speak your mind. Take a deep breath and tell others how you feel. Your feelings are valid simply by the fact that they are how you feel. You can't do much about how you feel and you don't have to be apologetic about them. Don't let everyone walk all over you. Voice your opinions and stand by them.
8. Prioritize.
In order to be able to put your best into all that you do, you have to prioritize your time. Organization and prioritizing get the max out of your day and takes the hectic flurry of chaos out of your day, relaxing your mind so you're not so frazzled at the drop of a hat.
9. Know your limits.
Lastly, it is crucial to know your strengths and weaknesses. Sometimes, you just can't do it all. If you stretch yourself too thin, you're going to end up panicking and overwhelming yourself. You're going to have to use all your skills you've learned thus far and be firm with yourself. The word "no" is in fact in your vocabulary - it wouldn't hurt you to use it sometime.
10. When all else fails, channel your inner Maggie Smith.
Maggie Smith is one of the most iconic women. Believe me, you will feel empowered to conquer the world. Now get out there - you've got a brand new day ahead of you.
