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Listen "#60 - Katie Chipchar: Exposure Therapy to Overcome Social Anxiety, Being an Au Pair & Self-Discovery"
Episode Synopsis
Katie Chipchar is a dedicated server, student, and enthusiastic traveler. Katie shares her journey navigating life after high school, including her transformative experience of moving to Italy for three months as an au pair and the ongoing challenge of managing social anxiety. Join us as we delve into her unique story and gain insights into the lessons she's learned along the way.
Katie opens up about her post-high school journey, marked by a series of career changes and the decision to take a gap year. Initially unsure of her path, she chose to attend MacEwan University with plans to pursue social work, a choice influenced by her sister. However, after COVID-19 disrupted her plans and her application to the social work program was unsuccessful, Katie felt lost. This period of uncertainty led her to a life-changing decision: moving to Italy to find herself and gain clarity on her future. Katie discusses the valuable lessons she learned at MacEwan, emphasizing the importance of not comparing oneself to others and being proud of one's unique journey.
Katie's experience as an au pair in Italy was a pivotal moment in her life. She explains what being an au pair entails and what inspired her to take this leap. Living in Italy, she had the opportunity to explore many cities, with Venice and Burano being her favorites. The cultural immersion provided her with a new perspective on life, highlighting the differences between Italian and Canadian lifestyles. Katie also shares how this experience helped her grow personally and become more independent, overcoming challenges such as language barriers and learning to navigate daily life in a foreign country.
Katie candidly discusses her struggles with social anxiety, particularly in her role as a server. She shares how social anxiety affects her interactions with customers, especially those around her age. To manage her anxiety, Katie practices deep breathing and rehearses her lines, reminding herself that customers are there for the experience and not to judge her. Working outside of Sherwood Park has been a strategic decision to help manage her anxiety, allowing her to be herself without the constant fear of running into familiar faces. Katie emphasizes the importance of balancing avoidance with facing anxiety-inducing situations in small doses.
Katie acknowledges the ongoing challenges she faces with social anxiety but is proud of the progress she has made. Her workplace's understanding and support play a crucial role in her journey. By gradually exposing herself to anxiety-inducing situations and learning from them, Katie has become more outgoing and confident. She shares her strategies for continuing to address social anxiety in both her professional and personal life, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, deep breathing, and understanding that judgment from others often reflects more on them than on herself.
Looking ahead, Katie is excited about her upcoming journey at NAIT, where she will pursue petroleum engineering. Encouraged by her father's advice and the potential financial benefits, she is eager to start this new chapter. Katie also plans to complete her degree from MacEwan in the coming years. She shares her goals of buying a house and traveling more, viewing her new career path as a means to achieve these dreams. Katie's story is a testament to the importance of perseverance, self-discovery, and embracing change, offering valuable insights and inspiration for listeners on their own journeys.
LONG TERM PODCAST 60
KEEP IT LONG TERM!
Katie opens up about her post-high school journey, marked by a series of career changes and the decision to take a gap year. Initially unsure of her path, she chose to attend MacEwan University with plans to pursue social work, a choice influenced by her sister. However, after COVID-19 disrupted her plans and her application to the social work program was unsuccessful, Katie felt lost. This period of uncertainty led her to a life-changing decision: moving to Italy to find herself and gain clarity on her future. Katie discusses the valuable lessons she learned at MacEwan, emphasizing the importance of not comparing oneself to others and being proud of one's unique journey.
Katie's experience as an au pair in Italy was a pivotal moment in her life. She explains what being an au pair entails and what inspired her to take this leap. Living in Italy, she had the opportunity to explore many cities, with Venice and Burano being her favorites. The cultural immersion provided her with a new perspective on life, highlighting the differences between Italian and Canadian lifestyles. Katie also shares how this experience helped her grow personally and become more independent, overcoming challenges such as language barriers and learning to navigate daily life in a foreign country.
Katie candidly discusses her struggles with social anxiety, particularly in her role as a server. She shares how social anxiety affects her interactions with customers, especially those around her age. To manage her anxiety, Katie practices deep breathing and rehearses her lines, reminding herself that customers are there for the experience and not to judge her. Working outside of Sherwood Park has been a strategic decision to help manage her anxiety, allowing her to be herself without the constant fear of running into familiar faces. Katie emphasizes the importance of balancing avoidance with facing anxiety-inducing situations in small doses.
Katie acknowledges the ongoing challenges she faces with social anxiety but is proud of the progress she has made. Her workplace's understanding and support play a crucial role in her journey. By gradually exposing herself to anxiety-inducing situations and learning from them, Katie has become more outgoing and confident. She shares her strategies for continuing to address social anxiety in both her professional and personal life, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, deep breathing, and understanding that judgment from others often reflects more on them than on herself.
Looking ahead, Katie is excited about her upcoming journey at NAIT, where she will pursue petroleum engineering. Encouraged by her father's advice and the potential financial benefits, she is eager to start this new chapter. Katie also plans to complete her degree from MacEwan in the coming years. She shares her goals of buying a house and traveling more, viewing her new career path as a means to achieve these dreams. Katie's story is a testament to the importance of perseverance, self-discovery, and embracing change, offering valuable insights and inspiration for listeners on their own journeys.
LONG TERM PODCAST 60
KEEP IT LONG TERM!
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