Today I was in a gas station parking lot, just trying to maneuver as one does with cars pulling in and out. I parked and thought everything was fine...until an 60 year-old man comes knocking on my drivers side window. I rolled my window down to a complete stranger berating me, accusing me of not being careful enough while driving (I’m a 23 y/o female). I don’t do well being yelled at by someone I know, so to experience such abrasive behavior from a stranger made me cry even sooner than I normally would. While I felt my driving was fine, I told him I was sorry and that I was only trying my best. He proceeded to scream into my window “Well your best isn’t good enough.” 

I hate that a comment from a stranger is enough to derail my day, but it took half the day to stop crying. Even now, his words still sting. The main thing I’m worried about is how to carry on going out in public and dealing with social anxiety in general public settings. I feel like all my confidence is lost, and like someone might be just around the corner ready to yell at me for any given shortcoming I make. I don’t even want to think about having to possibly experience that again. If anyone has tips on how to stop ruminating on this experience, I’m all ears!