2433“When I was kid I didn’t have a lot of friends,” says Nick, who is a talented illustrator, in his audio clip.

”Because of certain experiences I was very shy, I had this established belief that nobody liked me. I wasn’t cool, I was a bad person, whatever.

”So I was very closed off, so even when people were trying to talk to me, even if it was a genuine attempt to get to know me, I was very suspicious.

”One day in seventh grade, this girl came up to me and started talking to me. As usual I shrunk away. She then said this to me.

”That was the first time I realised I was coming off to people that I didn’t like them. My fear was like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Since then I’ve made a conscious effort to be more open.

It’s a problem I’m still dealing with today but I’ve tried to be more open since then. I didn’t want people to see ey vulnerable, but if you’re never vulnerable then nobody can relate to you.”

Taken in Los Angeles, California during the SOTM World Tour.