How to Overcome Shyness
Simple Steps to Deal with Social Anxiety
Being shy is not a bad thing. Everyone feels shy from time to time and that is natural. However, it can be overwhelming if you are constantly shy in social situations or find it difficult to interact with others. Social anxiety or shyness can be a blessing in disguise as it forces you to pause and reflect on your life.
Change your mindset
If you are shy, you are probably very critical of yourself. You might constantly find fault with your appearance, your work or your relationships, and this will lead you to procrastinate and avoid social situations.
However, shyness doesn’t have to be a negative thing. There could be a positive twist to your natural instinct to stay away from others. You might want to go and live in the woods, away from crowds and traffic, or you might want to spend more time in nature. You might want to focus on your creative side or do charity work.
Stop overthinking
People who are shy might also keep replaying bad memories over and over in their heads. You can overcome shyness by learning to stop overthinking and start living in the present.
Choose to think positive thoughts. Be your own cheerleader. Remind yourself that you are smart, creative, beautiful and that you have so much to offer the world. When you catch yourself overthinking, focus on your breathing and try to calm your mind and relax. It can also help to keep a journal and write down your feelings, thoughts and worries.
Practice speaking with the people you are comfortable with
You can overcome your shyness by practicing speaking with the people you are comfortable with. Try joining a club or group, such as a book club or a hiking group. Once you start meeting people, you will feel less shy and more at ease. You might feel silly at first, but it’s important to push yourself. You can also practice speaking with people on the phone. This might be easier for you than face-to-face interaction.
Make small changes to your routine
If you are shy, you might find yourself stuck in a rut, where you don’t meet new people or do things that challenge you. Shy people can fall into the trap of feeling sorry for themselves, which will only make them feel worse. You can overcome shyness by making small changes to your routine.
For example, if you tend to hang out with the same people, try to meet new people. If you don’t like going to bars or clubs, try to meet new people through your work, your hobbies or charity work. This will help you become more outgoing, confident and self-assured.
Find a mentor or role model
If you are shy, you might be living in your own little bubble. You might only be communicating with people online, which isn’t healthy. You need human interaction in your life to be truly happy and healthy.
A mentor is someone who has walked the path you are on and can help guide you. A role model is someone who has what you want in life and you can look to for inspiration.
These people can help push you to be better and achieve your goals. You can find a mentor or role model in many places. You can join a forum and find someone to help you achieve your goals. You can also look for a mentor at work or in your field of interest.
Conclusion
Shyness is a normal feeling that everyone experiences at some point in their life. However, sometimes it can be debilitating and can prevent you from living a fulfilling and happy life. These simple steps will help you overcome shyness and start living a more fulfilling and happy life.
The author of this article is a therapist from the Sensera app. Sensera is a daily 10-minute self-therapy app. It’ll help you to cope with various mental problems (anxiety, self-esteem, relationship issues). Feel better with CBT audio sessions and exercises. Download now to become happier!
