Highschool. I was so scared, my grades slipped, and I developed an inflamed esophagus from stress. I felt awkward all the time.
Then I joined an after-school club for environment activism, and I met some of the funniest and kindest people ever. My grades went back up, I got to visit the U.S., and I gained confidence in spades. I’m still friends with those lovely people, and they’re a reliable source of support and joy. One of them taught me to be so much more open by just randomly saying that he likes me and why. I feel really fortunate to have those four people in my life.