Ok, this sounds REALLY silly, but I'm super anxious because this Friday, I'm volunteering at my old public school's Fun Fair, and for an hour I have to do FACE PAINTING.

I am so afraid of everything about it...being around the kids, trying to interact naturally with them, potentially screwing up the painting (even though I'll be using stencils, I can still screw up!)

I've never felt that I'm good with kids, although they seem to be fine with me. It's just awkward around them because I can't really relate to them...my inner child is hidden and only comes out sometimes.

I'm not going to back out because I've already committed my time, and I need the volunteer hours, but I'm very scared. Very, very scared.

[Radien]

Don't worry ohseedee I am sure everything will go fine. Also, it is not stupid to get anxious over such a thing, people get anxious over everything and yours is logical (i get anxious when there is a dress down at my school and nearly have attacks wondering if i got the right date lol) so there is really nothing stupid about your worry. Everything will work out and it will get better once your there. I hope everything goes well!

Melissa, take some deep breaths and give the youngsters a big smile. Make it an adventure.

Good luck.

[Lisa Michelle]

Aw ohseedee, it doesn't sound silly AT ALL! I think most people would be nervous about that, even people without anxiety issues etc!

I think it's incredible that you're determined to do it even though it scares you. I'm sure it will be fine, you don't have to be chatty or anything, you could perhaps come up with some questions like "are you enjoying the fair?" "what have you bought/been on?" so you have some things to say if you feel akward about the quietness. But I think even just being quiet will be fine, you're meant to be concentrating on the painting afteral, so I doubt people will be trying to distract you too much with chit chat. And the kids can't really move much when you're painting so it's probably better if they don't talk lots, lol.

I really think you'll be fine. Just, if you like, try to think of some ideas of things to say (like the examples I gave). For me if I feel nervous about something like that it helps me to have an idea of what I might say etc. But really I'm sure there will be no pressure to talk and you'll do just fine!

[Cyran0]

I agree, it's awesome that you're doing it regardless. I'm sure you'll be great!

Cyran0

[Perna]

Do you have any friends you can con into volunteering with you? Having someone you know nearby might make it feel a little more comfortable for you; that's what I do (took a cooking class AFTER I got my girlfriend to sign up with me).

Do you have the stencils or can you get some like them? Go to the grocery store and buy 3-4 various melons or squash and "practice". It could be hilarious and you can eat the melon afterwards and use the squash for decoration for a bit then "abandon" it in a park quickly in a few weeks for the squirrels to eat, LOL.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

The fair went great, actually. For the face painting, we DIDN'T have stencils, but it was still OK because the kids wanted simple things. Plus, my friends were also there volunteering for face painting. It was funny because lots of the girls wanted something along the lines of "I love Justin Bieber" on their faces!

The second hour of volunteering was the bean bag toss, which was fun & easier. During the fair I got to talk to my old friends from the school & teachers too.

And what was REALLY cool (but also felt sort of weird), was I got to act sort of childish during the fair. My inner child came out, I guess. This made it easier to talk to the kids, and it made me much happier. For those 2 hours, I was able to stop worrying about other issues/concerns in my life. And that was definitely worth it.

[whoswho]

I'm glad you had fun, ohseedee. You deserve it.

[Cyran0]

Awesome ohseedee. Glad you had a good time.