Severe shyness can be a crippling syndrome for many people. Your nerves flare up, and you find yourself shaking when going into new social situations. The worst anxiety can cause you to say something completely unintelligent, or be too afraid to say anything at all.
The good news is that shyness is a learned behavior that can be unlearned. It usually stems from an incredibly negative past experience, a lack of self-esteem, or from a socially awkward upbringing. Many people who call themselves “shy” complain that they’re lonely, but are powerless to stop their anxiety from ruining their social interactions.
If this sounds like you, then take note of the following advice:
Don’t over think
Life is simple. The second you are start over-analyzing an upcoming social interaction, you are already gearing yourself for failure and awkwardness. You know the Nike slogan “Just do it!”? Yeah, that should be your motto. You’ve got to face the fear of rejection in order to overcome it. And who really gives a damn if the conversation wasn’t that great? It was a learning experience, and the more you do it, the better you will get at it.
For God Sakes, Please Breathe
Shy folks tend to breathe heavily when they’re feeling nervous. The unfortunate fact about short, quick breaths is that people actually notice them. Your demeanor will tense up, you’ll start talking really fast, and everyone will think you speak gibberish. Slow it down, take deep breathes if you’re feeling wound up. They will help you calm down. Remember, breathing is your best friend.
Write down all the things that make you nervous
Once you can see on paper how insignificant and seemingly small your concerns are, you’re bound to be more at peace. Sometimes just releasing your fears is enough to realize, “Well, that’s silly and immature”. While you’re writing down the things that make you nervous, make sure that you also make a separate list comprising all your best qualities. This will boost your ego.