Ever since my nomination as one of the Top 30 Vancouver Mom Bloggers at Vancouver Mom, I started thinking deep inside how far I have come, not only as a blogger, but as a person.

I suffered Social Anxiety for almost my entire life. Curled in fetal position, maybe with high heart beating thinking of possible scenarios of what and not to do if invited to a social gathering. And, if this event was mainly of strangers, most likely I wouldn’t have accepted to go. That was torture.

During my so-many visits to my therapist he concurred I’m one of those called “predisposed” people to be anxious, which in addition he stated it was aggravated as my mother’s mental health. I endured pain re-creating my past, but it was worth to know what the new path was to be.

So, after years of practising and learning cognitive behaviour techniques, attending group meetings and reading so many books I can happily say I am social anxiety free, at least of the bad kind.

In April I had the opportunity to interact via Facebook with 29 talented women who I had yet to meet in person in an event hosted in our honour. The invitation came and my name was in it. Glam #VM2013 via +VancouverMom.ca was set to be June 19 and in a room with more than 100 other mom bloggers. This wouldn’t have been a difficult decision for most, and for the first time I was happy to share the sentiment, it wasn’t difficult for me either. So I said yes. Not feeling scared, but rather excited.

June 2013 at Galm #VM2013 with bloggy friends. Missing Stasha, Sue and Liza.

Today, I am so happy to manifest my joy to think it all went well, with zero post-party remorse and nothing and nobody to blame.

I met. I greeted. I mingled. I was ecstatic to see again Amanda from Lilahbility and +Bruna Myers from BeesWithHoney and +Bianca Bujan from BitsofBee, my Blog friends from our 2011 meet up.

Photo courtesy of: http://blog.theconnectionweshare.com/

And to my surprise I held conversation with someone I never met before, Nikki, from Slow is the New Fast. She is super nice to talk to and very nice to be around to as well. She had no judgement when I decided to attack the pork skewers with my bare hands.

Nikki and I at Glam

There were no awkward feelings, but being okay if that happened.

I was in control.

I look back at my 20 year old self now and all I want to do is to hug and give her hope. I want to tell her there is no defect on her. I want to tell her what she feels it’s called Social Anxiety and can be conquered.

To all of those talented women who made it to the event, and also to my 20 year old self, Salud! – Cheers.

I am, and my blog, one of them. Top 30 Vancouver Mom Bloggers.