What was the fear project and what was it about: There were three that I really identified with, but I'll choose the one that was a little closer to home. For me, I really understood Olivia's project the most. She experienced bullying a lot throughout her life, so she decided to face it and try to put herself out there with her new roommates. The struggle of trying to put yourself out into a situation like that is something that I encounter all the time, so I admire her courage for being able to do that.
Why did you respond to it so strongly: Bullying is something that I'm quite familiar with, so I really felt where she was coming from. I wasn't bullied in "conventional" ways, but I definitely felt bullied and outside of pretty much every situation. In middle and high school, I was part of the "misfits" who didn't belong with anyone else, but I also didn't really feel like I belonged with them either. I've always been too much of a nerd for most people, but also not enough of a nerd to fit in with "true" nerds. It makes fitting in really complicated, so I tend to keep to myself a lot. I've also been trying to put myself out more lately so that I don't continue to be a hermit, but I understand how hard and scary it can be to open yourself up to hurt like that. It's difficult to let people in when you're so used to being let down.
How does it impact how you see your own project and your own creative journey: All of the projects have really impacted my thought process. Honestly, it just helps a lot to hear that I'm not the only one with the same fears. Logically, I know that there are hundreds of people out there who have the same fears and reservations that I do, but it just feels really relieving to actually hear someone else talk about the same problems that I have. It's also good to know that others are finding ways to get themselves through it. If they're able to overcome this fear, it gives me hope that I might be able to overcome it too. It's really nice to hear that you aren't alone in your struggles sometimes.
Why did you respond to it so strongly: Bullying is something that I'm quite familiar with, so I really felt where she was coming from. I wasn't bullied in "conventional" ways, but I definitely felt bullied and outside of pretty much every situation. In middle and high school, I was part of the "misfits" who didn't belong with anyone else, but I also didn't really feel like I belonged with them either. I've always been too much of a nerd for most people, but also not enough of a nerd to fit in with "true" nerds. It makes fitting in really complicated, so I tend to keep to myself a lot. I've also been trying to put myself out more lately so that I don't continue to be a hermit, but I understand how hard and scary it can be to open yourself up to hurt like that. It's difficult to let people in when you're so used to being let down.
How does it impact how you see your own project and your own creative journey: All of the projects have really impacted my thought process. Honestly, it just helps a lot to hear that I'm not the only one with the same fears. Logically, I know that there are hundreds of people out there who have the same fears and reservations that I do, but it just feels really relieving to actually hear someone else talk about the same problems that I have. It's also good to know that others are finding ways to get themselves through it. If they're able to overcome this fear, it gives me hope that I might be able to overcome it too. It's really nice to hear that you aren't alone in your struggles sometimes.