i Generation
By Alyssa Christianson

One of the most common phobias in America is the fear of being alone. Whether it be when you are literally by yourself or in a room of strangers, being lonely or distant is not something most people are fond of.

This is why we often find ourselves avoiding situations where you know you may be forced to be in a group with people you don't know. In reality, I find these to be some of the greatest situations we can find ourselves in.

From June 17 to June 22, I attended Massachusetts Girls State, which is a weeklong "camp" where girls from all over the state can learn about how our government runs. While there I found myself rather "alone."

Although other girls from both Ashburnham and Westminster attended, the organization successfully split us up so I had close to no contact with any of them. I was put into a group of 32 strangers the moment I got there.

I was instantly terrified. I was afraid I would say something wrong or no one would want to hang out with me, but as I began meeting my group members I realized the week might not be so bad.

Within moments of first meeting the new people around me, I knew everything would work out okay. These people were in the same situation as me and we had to bond in order to have a successful and enjoyable week.

I was shy initially - not saying too much - but by the end of the first day I was outgoing and much more comfortable. In fact, I found myself feeling more uncomfortable around the people who were being shy and I would try to get them to open up as well.

Meeting new people and forming new friendships is something I've always enjoyed, despite the initial feelings of insecurity and worry. I've found and have confirmed with my experience at Girls State that being extroverted and outgoing makes you feel "safer" than if you were to keep to yourself.

As soon as you begin opening up to new people and sharing interests with them, you feel safer. You have someone you can trust and be with in a sea of people you don't yet know.

If I hadn't opened up the way I did I can't imagine how much I would have disliked my stay at Girls State. But because I threw my insecurities and shyness aside, I was able to really get everything out of the experience and more.

In America, I find that we, as a people, are growing farther and farther apart. I extrapolate that this is why we have these feelings of anxiety and fear when placed in unknown social settings.

We are growing less and less accustomed to being around other people. We talk via computer screen and telephone. There is less face-to-face human contact than I believe we have ever seen in history.

Putting yourself out there

Subsequently, when we are in a social setting we don't know how to react. It's easy to be confident when others can't see your face. Our faces and eyes can give away so much more about us than our voice alone.

I believe that more people need to experience situations like I was put into at Girls State. I feel so much more confident in myself now and I made new friends because I overcame this wildfire-fear of being "alone."

Reaching out and finding new people when lost in a sea of people you don't know usually works out so much better than hiding from those around you.

So I encourage anyone who is reading this to open up. I'm not saying you have to tell a stranger your life story but even just a smile to someone you pass by or a compliment on a stranger's outfit help to relieve that feeling of insecurity.

Reach out. Don't hide.