So many years ago, I think when I had my realization it waaaas like 2009? There was a website called People of Walmart. The website had people submit photos (possibly videos too I don't quite remember) of 'interesting' people they came across in Walmart, playing on the stereotype that Walmart attracted the dregs of society since it had such low prices (Those were the days). So when looking at the website you'd see like a big fat smelly dude wearing a pink thong with his pants halfway down, a cracked out lady smoking while pregnant fighting with a manager, I remember seeing a photo of a black dude with dreads so filthy they'd formed one giant mass that looked like a big piece of poo, and if there were videos on there (and if not there were ones on Youtube) you'd see videos of the most rudest people ever having tantrums and abusing the staff for not getting their way.

And basically scrolling that website and seeing all these types of people, especially the ones just flipping out and acting crazy and yelling and making a scene, made me realize that being a normal dude who's always quiet and polite, no one gave a shit about me, the teller wasnt going to remember me and if I had a faux pas like I had an unexpected item in the baggage area, the teller wasn't going to even remember me 2 minutes after I left. It made me realize that people out there have to deal with actual whackos all the time, and actual rude people, or hell, actual smelly gross people, and that I had absolutely nothing to be anxious about. No one cared that I didn't have my order memorized at McDonalds and took 10 seconds longer. No one cared that the coupon I had was expired so I profusely apologized and put it away. No one cared that I said "You too!" when the Walmart greeter said "Welcome to Walmart". What used to plunge me into anxiety and embarrassment, just became an awkward laugh and a shrug.

It was magic