insignificant to everyone but me

i sat there, clueless,

relaxed,

and then-

an emergency.

or at least, to me.

i was in the bathroom.

i ran out of toilet paper.

but then, someone entered the stall next to me.

and i asked them for some.

it seems silly,

but you see,

the thing is,

i never would've done this four years ago.

i used to be afraid-

afraid of speaking up,

afraid of walking in large crowds,

afraid of eating in public,

afraid of using the bathroom if anyone else was in there.

i used to hide myself-

i'd always wear jackets and sweaters.

i'd always have my hair in my face.

i always walked with my head down.

i'd cover my face with my hand.

four years ago,

i never imagined asking someone for toilet paper.

i couldn't even order at a restaurant.

but i've learned a lot since then.

i learned that nobody pays attention.

to what you do,

what you wear,

what you say,

what you look like.

i learned that it's okay

to be yourself,

to speak up,

to be unapologetic.

in that moment in the bathroom,

i realize i learned

that it's okay to be afraid

as long as you face it head on.