I know I'm ready to come out but I'm too afraid. I can't even say that I'm gay to myself. I don't know what to do. I have one friend who came out as a lesbian a few months ago but I can't seem to tell her. Every time I try I get scared. We don't really hang out outside of school and it would be weird to tell her in the middle of class. I want to tell someone but I can't. Help.
" I can't even say that I'm gay to myself. " You just told a forum full of people. How does that feel? Welcome to EC.
Coming out is a process and I know from experience that rushing into it before you're ready won't help you and won't be beneficial
I know saying it out loud was the hardest for me. But it did get easier the more I said it, well, depending on who I said it too. Mostly because the more I said it, the more confident and self accepting I became and the less it mattered what other people were going to think of me. I know who I am and the more I say it the more it just kind of gets embedded into my brain or heart or spirit or whatever you want to call it. It still hurts when other people judge me and reject me, but it's not as damaging as it first was. So when you are ready, you will take that first step and tell that first person. And you will feel stronger for it. And if you have to, just stand in the mirror, and let that first person be you, and even the second person until you've built up enough confidence to tell your friend. Oh, yeah, and don't forget to breathe. ~Max
Hey there! Welcome to EC... Telling us here is already one step ahead from your fears. You can do it! We're here for you. =)