My mother found a lady in her church that was willing to let me interview her for my project. I have had this lady’s information for about 3 weeks now. It took me about 2 days just to talk myself into picking up the phone and calling her. Stupid anxiety.
I have no idea why I get myself all worked up over the stupidest things. This lady was super nice and I really enjoyed talking with her. The interview went WAY over. We are supposed to try to keep our visits to about 30 minutes each. I was there for well over 2 hours. She talked about her children, her family, was VERY open with her health history, and her husband even joined our conversation for a bit. (Before he excused himself, he made it a point to tell me that he is happy that I am going into nursing, that good nurses are needed, especially for all the “old” people like them.) We laughed, we smiled, she almost even made me cry, but it was an absolutely fantastic eye-opening visit.
I really wish I could figure out what makes me so nervous about people and get the hell over it.
Enjoy it. People have a lot to tell and old people have some great life stories.
ReplyDeleteYou don't know how many old nurses I have had as patients over the years, and it reminds me that one day it will be me, or you.
I totally empathize with you itsjustme on your fear or anxiety of being nervous to talk and interview other people. I kinda feel almost like I'm a "nobody" who wants to tell me anything. Haha, but I better get use to it sooner or later. You'll get the hang of it I’m sure, you’ll just have to practice calling or talking to patients more often.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way -- I can handle being with people I know, or in a large, anonymous crowd where there is little one-on-one interaction. But put me with a small group of people I kinda-sorta-but-not-really know and my self-confidence reduces to nothing. I get anxious, thinking I'll say the wrong thing...then worry about how I'll be perceived...then self-fulfilling prophecies kick in and I end up looking like a moron. I really don't know where this comes from, but I wish it would go away. I've always been kinda shy, but this stupid anxiety is something that's come on recently and doesn't seem to be getting much better.
ReplyDeleteIts the "initiating" contact that's the worst. Once you get into it...it is ok. I feel the same way. That's why I have an aversion to phones.
ReplyDeleteThink of it in this way: Most people like to talk about themselves....ON and ON. So don't worry about it. You are doing them a favor.
Listening is a BIG deal... :)
( I meant to say, it's the initiating part of the contact that's the worst) oops.
ReplyDelete