Ciana, Sahara and Nat have done a good job of explaining the original meaning of the word “hussy” so I won’t rehash it all again. Instead, I’m going to tell you about my personal experience with letting my inner hussy out to play and how it has made positive changes in me.
While growing up, I was painfully shy. Attempting to help, my mother was always putting me into social situations with lots of other people hoping to bring me out of my shyness, like birthday parties with dozens of kids running around. What it succeeded in doing was stressing me out and made me feel inadequate. New people in mass quantities put me into a panic. What we found that worked was one or two new people consistently over time. I would be quiet at first, but as I got to know them I’d open up.
I have no idea why I was so extremely shy. I didn’t have a childhood trauma or anything, it’s was just part of me. I think that growing up in a neighborhood where I was the only girl helped foster my shyness. Guys don’t feel the need to talk constantly. The boys weren’t bothered by my being quiet until I got comfortable enough to talk. Through my school years my only friends were the ones with the patience to wait for me to reach my comfort zone.
When entering the work world, I chose safe jobs working as an operator, file clerk, and customer service positions where I dealt with the public only by phone. After some personal upheaval, I made a drastic move and went into the Army. There’s no being shy in the military. When anyone of higher rank asks you something you have to reply, and not in a shy whisper. My time in the military, although only two brief years, did wonders for conquering my shyness and giving me confidence but I was still very quiet and reserved.
After that, I managed to earn three college degrees (I love school) and even aced my public speaking class. In my work as a CT scan tech my supervisors observed my leadership skills and I went through the hospital’s management program. I had thought I’d conquered the worst of my shyness, but one day I got an email that changed my life.
Nothing I’ve ever experience prepared me for having one of my stories be released to the public. Talk about putting yourself out there…OMG! When Passionate Realities released, I felt like I was standing center stage under the spotlights, naked, with all my most private, taboo sexual thoughts exposed to the whole world. Thankfully, book releases have gotten easier since then and writing e-books is perfect for me. Sit behind my computer to write and talk to readers online. All very safe for a shy person.
It was another email that really brought out my inner hussy. The email was from an author who I greatly admire asking me to be a Hussy. The five of us found that we clicked really well in all our online interactions, but then it came time for the Romantic Times Convention. I’d gone to RT once before and to say I found it intimidating is an extreme understatement. Not this time though. This time I had the power of The Hussies behind me.
I haven’t talked about my personal experiences at RT much because I’m still blown away. Through the whole convention, I was bold, confident, outgoing, and put myself out there as I have never before. It wasn’t an act or simply putting on another persona, it was the real inner me. I didn’t feel awkward, inadequate or shy, and I had such a good time meeting new people, which in itself is astounding. My inner hussy shined bright! And I wasn’t a wallflower either—far from it. There was no hiding when I put on a sexy red backless gown and entered the party with my stunning Hussy sistas. When I walked across the stage on Rodney’s arm, I felt… Damn, there are really no words to describe how amazing I felt.My shyness did rear its head at one point—the print book signing. There’s just something about that event with the power to make me sweat! Nat even got a picture of me, before they let the readers in, sporting my deer-in-the-headlights look. I hope you ditched that, Nat! LOL!
The best part is that I didn’t leave those feelings of empowerment and confidence behind when I came home as I'd feared might happen. My inner hussy got a taste of freedom and she’s here to stay! No more inhibited tomboy for me. Everyone who knows me noticed the difference right away.
Oh, I’m sure there will be a few situations able to bring out the timidity, but I’m not stuffing my hussy back in a box. Not that she’d let me. No how, no way! She's here to stay. I can tell you from first hand experience too, confidence truly is sexy!
Hussy Power, baby!
She’s in there somewhere, and trust me, letting her out can be life altering. Isn’t it time you let your inner hussy out to play? I highly recommend you do!
Nic
So naughty it's scandalous!
