Nowhere near as intense as some of these stories, but still scary. Around 2018, I was shopping at Macy's on or just before Halloween - the only time of year I would go out until recently. I found a top I really liked, but I wanted to go to some other stores in the mall as well. I asked a sales clerk to hold the top until I came back. She asked me what name to hold it under. I just sort of stared at her. I knew the name Colleen in my mind, but I had almost never said it out loud. Not knowing my own name? I felt like a complete fool. I was so embarrassed and my heart stopped - if she had not yet read me, I clearly had just outed myself. Fortunately, she was nice enough to give me a moment to respond. When I came back to buy the top, I was prepared and could actually say my name.
My other scariest moment happened last May. I scheduled a makeover at Ulta. The whole time driving over - and especially walking into the store - my mind was racing with thoughts along the lines of "What am I doing?" and "I so don't belong here." It all turned out fine in the end, however. I have never been much for makeup, but the gal doing my makeover was new in the role and had no other appointment, so rather than spending 30-45 minutes with me, she took two hours and gave me a thorough makeup instruction session. She also made a nice bit of sales for the store and got herself a nice tip. Going for a makeover, though, was one of my three biggest pink fog moments - along with the first time walking into a ladies' room and a moment too personal to share here.
