Internet praises Tulsi Gabbard as ex-Congresswoman opens up about struggles of being 'introvert' and fighting 'anxiety'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has recently opened up about her bouts with anxiety in a moving Instagram post.
The 42-year-old posed for a group named ‘The Veterans Project’ renowned for capturing the legacies of allied veterans through their detailed photographic essays.
In one of the snaps, Gabbard candidly speaks about the days she started campaigning and the anxiety that followed when she visited people’s homes, asking for their votes.
The former Congresswoman from Hawaii revealed that the entire process of going from one door to another to interact with voters was a difficult one for an introvert like her.
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Tulsi Gabbard opens up about interaction with voters during first campaign
Gabbard detailed her first encounter with a voter when she ran for office at the age of 21. She claimed to have been nervous and scared to her bones.
She wrote, “There was a very kind older Filipino woman who answered the first door I knocked on, and she couldn't have been more welcoming. She invited me into her home and gave me a glass of water.”
“We had a great conversation. I was thinking, ‘Oh gosh, this is great.’ Then I left, and I was like, ‘Oh, crap, I have to go to another door.’ (laughs) And this whole process reset from the beginning.”
Gabbard called in all the introverts of the world and how they felt while interacting with several people or surfing big crowds at events.
“To be frank, and I’m sure other introverts can relate, whether it's knocking on doors, giving a speech in front of hundreds or a thousand people, or even walking into a reception or social function, my instinct was to go stand in the corner.”
The former Democrat understood the job for which she signed up and mentioned the bigger challenges associated with campaigning.
“When running for office, you have to talk to people. You have to introduce yourself and share your vision. The first question is often, ‘Why are you running?’ and you need to be able to answer that in a way that actually imparts what is in your heart.”
She added, “It was incredibly challenging, not only in my first campaign for State House but also in my following campaign for City Council several years later."
Tulsi Gabbard addresses her ‘anxiety’
The former Congresswoman from Hawaii realized that her ‘anxiety’ got in the way of doing great work for the community. She disclosed that she accepted it and fought it off with prayer and deep introspection.
“For years, this anxiety was something that I struggled with internally — until I got to a point when I decided it was ridiculous.”
She continued “I knew it wasn’t a sustainable way to do this important work for the community in the public sphere. It took some deep prayer and introspection for me to realize that my anxieties were coming from a very selfish place.”
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Fans hail Tulsi Gabbard as an ‘inspiration’ for overcoming her ‘anxiety’
Many were delighted to hear about Gabbard’s long-drawn battle with anxiety and the steps she took to move past it.
One wrote, “Thank you for sharing Tulsi. You are an inspiration to everyone who knows you and follows you. Thank you for your service. Aloha and mahalo.”
A second said, “Love the realization! It’s crazy how many of our hangups come back to our own selfishness.”
“Thank you for speaking out. Your words make a difference because you are sincere,” wrote another.
Another fan praised her and said, “As usual, you are a clear head in all the chaos. Wish you were on the ballot. Thank you.”
“I don’t agree with you on a few things Tulsi, but I really like you and I have a huge respect for you and that feels so good,” quipped another.