Being a selective mute

By Angelique R

Being social hasn’t been easy for me. When it comes to ordering things or talking to people I’ve always struggled with it.

Even when my brother would encourage me to do it myself I would start panicking and back out. So whenever I’m out with my family members I would have them order or ask for help for me.

Also, when it comes to making new friends, I typically don’t talk or approach them first; they would have to do that.

For example, on the first day of school my teacher had us do a little class project to get to know each other better. He had us walk around the classroom and ask for the person's name then ask them a question that was on the back of the paper. And I remember that I just stood there not moving one inch. My teacher had tried to encourage me to go walk around and talk to my classmates but I just stood there. My classmates ended up coming and talking to me instead.

Slowly over time I’ve started to get a little more comfortable with my classmates. Like doing ice breakers with my classmates has helped me talk to them a little more and kind of get comfortable with them.

Even though I’m not 100% comfortable with the class yet I’m fine with participating in reading out loud to the class or getting put in a group with them. But ever since the school year started I’ve created a bond with the two girls I sit with and I became comfortable with them.

Although I am not 100% at socializing, I still try my best to communicate with others. It's a daily struggle but I feel like I can overcome it in the future.

For the Warrior Times, this is Angelique Reyes