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Overcoming Social Anxiety and Shyness — Step by Step

Shyness and social anxiety can range from mild to extremely debilitating. They can stop people from developing friendships, working, and even going anywhere in public. Many well-known figures have experienced social anxiety — including Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt, Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson, Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt, Michelle Pfeiffer, David Bowie, David Letterman, Nicole Kidman, and Jim Carrey. The more you learn and understand it, the more you can feel in control.

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Journal

What to Do When Social Skills Make You Self-ConsciousFeeling self-conscious about your social skills can make ordinary moments feel like public performances. You may replay a conversation, worry that your voice…
Handling the Pressure of Being Introduced to Many New People at OnceBeing asked to walk into a room where you know no one can feel like standing on the edge of a cliff. Your heart races, your mouth goes dry, and every part of…
Why complimenting others feels scary and how to beginFor many people who experience social anxiety, the act of complimenting someone else can feel surprisingly harder than receiving praise. There is a strange…
Gradually Attending Larger Gatherings With More ConfidenceSocial anxiety can make a larger gathering seem like one enormous test. A barbecue with twenty people, a work function, or a friend’s birthday at a busy pub…
When Quietness Feels Like a Social LiabilityWorrying about being perceived as boring or quiet can make ordinary conversations feel like performances. You may monitor every pause, search for a clever…
A Simple Grounding Technique for Stressful ConversationsA stressful conversation can make your attention turn sharply inward. You may monitor your voice, facial expression, posture and every pause, while also trying…
Why Phone Calls Can Feel Harder Than TextingWhy you might feel anxious about making a phone call instead of texting is rarely a sign that you are incapable of communicating. For many people with social…
How to Create a Comfortable Exit Strategy Before You Even Enter a RoomSocial anxiety can make an invitation feel like a commitment with no easy way out. You may imagine getting stuck in a conversation, standing alone at a crowded…
Feeling calm when you might be first or last at an eventArriving early can leave you standing alone, while leaving late can create the uncomfortable feeling that everyone is watching your exit. For someone with…
How to Practise Warm, Open Body Language When You’re NervousWhen social anxiety rises, your body may try to protect you by making you smaller: shoulders curve forward, arms fold across your chest, your gaze drops and…

Explore the Shyness and Social Anxiety blog for more articles and insights.