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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

Building a reliable list of go-to topics for unplanned conversationsUnplanned conversations can feel difficult when your mind goes blank, especially if you are already monitoring your voice, facial expression, or the other…
How to Practise Self-Compassion After Avoiding a Social EventAvoiding a social event can bring immediate relief, followed by guilt, disappointment or harsh self-criticism. You may replay the decision, imagine what other…
Why messages can trigger anxiety after you send themYou write a message, check it twice, and press send. For a moment, there may be relief. Then your attention shifts to the screen: Has it been read? Did that…
How to handle last-minute changes to social plansA cancelled dinner, a different venue or a sudden change in who is attending can create a surprisingly strong reaction. For someone with social anxiety or a…
Using Body Language to Project Confidence Even When You’re NervousNervousness can make your body communicate a different message from the one you intend. You may look at the floor, fold your arms, speak too quickly, or keep…
How to Create a Comfort Zone Exit Plan for Each DaySocial anxiety can make ordinary activities feel unusually demanding. Sending a message, joining a conversation, entering a busy shop, or speaking during a…
When You Feel Misunderstood in a ConversationFeeling misunderstood can turn an ordinary conversation into a stressful experience. You may notice a sudden urge to explain yourself, correct every detail, or…
How humor can ease your own social anxietySocial anxiety can make ordinary conversations feel like high-stakes performances. You may monitor your facial expression, replay every sentence, or worry that…
Why Instagram Can Make Your Social Life Feel SmallerOpening Instagram can seem harmless, yet a few minutes of scrolling may leave you convinced that everyone else has a fuller, easier, and more exciting social…
Staying Calm When You Meet a Large GroupBeing introduced to several people at once can make even a confident person feel briefly overwhelmed. You may need to remember names, respond quickly, make eye…

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