BoldlyU Magazine Issue 6 | Page 40

STRICTLY TWEENS Anxiety Struggles stage When my anxiety kicks in, I feel like I am stuck behind a wall. I hate not knowing what my life and the future will hold. Not knowing whether the guy I like actually knows my name, whether I should wear high tops or black flats, not to mention high school on the hori- zon. ANXIETY! It makes me second guess myself; my stomach turns into a ball of knots; my head pounds, and I’m full of doubt. “Nah. You’d look too stupid anyway.” On top of this, I am also shy; I hate being the center of attention and being applauded for good works. If you feel this way too, you’re not alone. With all of this shyness, stress, and anxiety, you need to find a way to cope with your prob- lems. I found music and acting as my outlet, yet my anxiety continues to find a way into my head. This year our school musical is The Sound of Music. Now you’re prob- ably thinking, “What’s wrong with that?” Well, it just so happens, I got the lead role. After I had got the part, my anxiety and stress had a huge party to celebrate the success of me being overwhelmed. My nights became full of homework, singing, and practicing lines. My personal time was limited, I was stressed to the max, and my stress and anxiety were busting at the seams. I knew, in the end, it was going to be just fine. My parents kept en- couraging me to do my very best, taught me ways to manage my priorities and keep the end in sight. So in conclusion, we struggle. Nobody’s perfect. We have to deal. Life is about overcoming our struggles. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. 40 theatre May/June 2017 Eliza, 13 g n i r r sta all performance