I walked into the gym today with the intention on saying something about a room they closed off. I see the manager at the front counter, I check in, and walk past him.
I say to myself "I gotta say something about this today."
My armpits start sweating with a mixture of fear, anxiety, and nervousness.
"Fuck it" I say to myself.
I confront the manager about my displeasure with the room closed off. I take a neutral tone. I just give him my opinion, didn't sugar coat, and especially didn't try to make it land softer. (No room given to the people pleaser part of me).
The manager was cool about it. He said he will try to help. The "monster in my head" never came out to eat me.
I walked off, told my wife I talked to the manager, she thanked me, and then told her I loved her. I walked upstairs and started my gym session.
I smiled like a kid on Christmas, told myself I was proud of me, and finished working my gym session.
I realized more honest confrontations build my true self up while earning myself more courage too.