Fear of rejection is real and oftentimes, impedes on our efforts to take the next step, however big or small. I know I have lots of anxiety about this and worry so much about doing the wrong thing, making the wrong choice, simply just being wrong.

Anna Akana does not hold back with this powerful video and story of what it’s like to go through your life feeling like you’re ready to step off the edge any moment. Warning: it may contain some triggers

“I remember the first time I experienced racism. I was about six years old and the word “racism” wasn’t even a part of my vocabulary yet.”

“Growing up, I’ve always had this pressure and guilt—as the eldest and First-Generation born—I felt it was my responsibility to find solutions to issues at home. “

“Noticing how I was dragging myself to go to classes, how frustrated I was to see all my classmates booking jobs and signing with agents while I was going nowhere. A place that was a happy place for me was no longer the same.”

“And as a child growing into her teen years, at the heart of when you are trying to figure out who you are, having such a big authority like my parents telling me that I’m not good enough, I believed them.”