Vlogging in Public 😖 EXPOSURE THERAPY

Starting with the idea of public vlogging, I know many of you might feel that knot in your stomach just thinking about it. For a long time, the idea of filming myself in public was one of my biggest anxieties. My goal for this year wasn't just to make more videos, but to truly get over the fear of the public eye. That's where exposure therapy comes in. It’s not some fancy clinical process for me; it’s simply about just doing it, forcing myself out of my comfort zone, even when my brain screams no. So, what is exposure therapy used for in my case? It's literally my personal battle plan against anxiety of vlogging in public. Instead of avoiding situations that make me uncomfortable, I deliberately seek them out. The first few times, I was talking to myself right now in my head, questioning every move, feeling every single stare. I remember one particular instance when I got my first stare while blogging – it felt like rockets, like someone was going to come up to me and question what I was doing. My heart pounded, but I kept walking, kept filming. That, right there, was a mini exposure therapy example. Instead of running home, I pushed through. For anyone wondering about exposure therapy examples in action, it starts small. Maybe it’s just filming a short clip in a less crowded park. Then, it escalates to a busy street, a cafe, or even a mall. The key is consistency and not letting yourself "neutralize" the anxiety by immediately stopping or hiding. That's what some call the "neutralization pit" – the urge to undo the exposure by reverting to old coping mechanisms. For me, it's about resisting the urge to delete the footage immediately, to hide my camera, or to convince myself that everyone is judging me. It’s a mental game of telling myself, "You're fine. Keep going. This is part of the process." It’s incredibly uncomfortable, but that’s the point. Each time you face that discomfort and realize nothing catastrophic happens, your brain starts to rewire. This journey is explicitly about using exposure therapy for social anxiety. My fear wasn't just about technical difficulties; it was the intense self-consciousness, the feeling of being judged, the worry about what strangers thought. By consistently putting myself in situations where I’m visible and vulnerable as a public vlogger, I'm slowly chipping away at that anxiety. I’ve learned that most people don’t care nearly as much as my anxious brain tells me they do. And those who do stare? They’re just curious, or maybe they think I'm a little weird – and that’s okay! I'm learning to embrace the weirdness. If you're thinking about starting your own public vlogging journey or tackling any form of social anxiety with exposure therapy, here's what I've found helpful: Start small: Don't go straight to Times Square. Begin in a place you feel slightly uncomfortable, not overwhelmingly so. Be kind to yourself: It's okay to feel awkward. Acknowledge it, but don't let it stop you. Focus on the task: Instead of focusing on who might be watching, concentrate on what you're trying to film or say. Review your footage: Seeing yourself doing it, even if you look uncomfortable, can be empowering. You did it! Celebrate small victories: Every time you step out and film, even for a minute, it’s a win. It's a continuous process, of course. There are still days when the anxiety kicks in, but I'm much better at managing it. The goal isn't to eliminate all fear, but to learn to function and create despite it. And honestly, it feels amazing to slowly reclaim parts of myself that anxiety tried to steal. It's not just about vlogging; it's about living a fuller, braver life.