How to Stop being Shy?

Shyness is the feeling of discomfort and awkwardness around people in a new situation. We have all felt a little shy at our first dates, at a new workplace or a party for a short period of time. We do not talk to many people around at first, or if we do, then it is a very restrictive conversation. Some of us become nervous which prevents us from interacting with people. Later, we all become used to the environment after which our opinions become permeable. This amount of shyness is natural as we are exposed to new situations, and nobody is comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings. So, it means we are all a little shy. However, shyness can be a dominant characteristic in some people. A lot of people find it really difficult to cope up in a newer setting. Those people are the ones you will find sitting in a corner silently observing everyone. They will not talk to anyone, and they will not be enjoying themselves even in a party.

Shyness for these people can be a hurdle. When you are unable to interact with the people around you, it becomes obvious that you are losing out on opportunities in life to grow. Introversion compliments shyness, allowing you to sit back without acting. Shyness affects the lives of these people in a number of ways:

#1. They do not get dates. Yes, when a person is shy they find it a challenge to talk to the person they like and confess their feelings for them. They will have a crush on a person, and the person will not even be aware of this fact. Unless the person is aware of such feelings, they will not be able to respond to them.

#2. Dates are only dreams when they are not able to even make friends. Shy people find it hard to open up with people. They do not express their feelings, opinions, and concerns which is why they do not make a lot of friends. They may become friends with only one person after they have completely trusted them.

#3. Shy people find it problematical to make a career choice. They are not expressive and outgoing, so they do not get jobs easily. Every company needs an employee who is expressive and has team spirit. Such people desire for desk jobs which do not involve interacting with people, and such jobs do not pay well. The lifestyle they lead becomes quite ordinary.

#4. When a person hides his/her feelings inside them, then they are creating pressure in their minds. Accumulating all the thoughts and feelings of your heart can be harmful to the health. All the stress and apprehension inside you eat you like a worm, and it is nothing less than a slow death.

Are you a shy person? Do you also find it hard to welcome a new environment? Let us know how we can stop being shy through some tips that will help you overcome shyness.

#1. Interact More

Do you know what holds you back? You hold yourself back. If you want to make a change in the way you live then you need to start interacting. You know that you need to stop being shy and you know the reasons. So, start doing what you do not like doing. You find it tough to interact with people so initiate a conversation with them on your own. Do not wait for someone else to talk to you because that will make you uncomfortable. But when you will be prepared to talk to someone it will not be that tough anymore. Go out at social events, places where there are going to be a lot of people. Start picking conversations with strangers. You will not have a fear of being judged when you talk to them. Accept invitations for any social gathering start interacting with people. Push yourself to do it.

#2. It’s All About Attitude

Being a shy person, you probably do not carry confidence in your attitude. Your self-esteem is low which is why you do not talk to people around you because you fear being judged. One thing you must understand is that the people will judge you for who you portray you are. If you show them that you are not confident about yourself, they will judge you as a loser, but if you interact with a positive attitude, then they will find you interesting. Change your attitude, gain some confidence and go out in the world to shine. The more you fear people, the more they fear you. What you will give them is what you will get in return. Have faith in your abilities and do not tell people that you are a shy person. You are trying to change yourself. Therefore, make the change, and nobody will ever know that you are shy.

#3. What’s Your Outlook?

How you look at things in your life decide what your outlook is. If you think of yourself negatively or if you look at the negative aspects of everything then you need to change it. When you perceive things to be bad or wrong, then you stop trusting them. You stop trusting people around you, and you stop trusting yourself. You are not fair to yourself and the other people. Bring a change in your outlook towards life. Start thinking positively and start looking at the positive aspects of life. This will help you gain confidence in life. Surround yourself with people who are kind and compassionate. Avoid the company of those people who bring you down by depreciating your value.

#4. Where’s Your Focus?

When you enter a room full of people what do you focus at? Do you look at the people or do you think about yourself? When you are in a public space what matters is that you focus on them rather than yourself. You should prohibit thinking about how you are looking and what people are thinking about you. Your focus should be at what are those people doing and why have they gathered there. When you go somewhere, you want to focus on the purpose why you are there.

#5. Learn From Others

Meet extroverts and observe how they talk and behave around people. Learn what makes them comfortable in such nervous situations. Observation is your power so, use it in your favor. You should start trying things out, take risks and head towards adventures. Shyness hinders your ability to act because you think about a certain situation and you get uncomfortable, so you drop the idea of acting out. Learn from your surroundings, read books that teach you how to start a conversation. Have more interests so that when you talk to someone, you can have a topic to talk about.

#6. Practice

Start practicing extroversion by changing your behavior. It is not necessary to become an extrovert as they have their own issues but when you practice extroversion, you will reach the point you are no more an introvert or a shy person. You can stand in front of the mirror to practice speech. This way you will be able to observe yourself, and you can change the things that you feel are wrong. The fear you have about what people will think about you will demolish. So start practicing speech, learn etiquettes and work on your appearance if that bothers you. If you dress shabbily, then people would not want to interact with you so start cladding yourself in smart clothes.

#7. Manage

To stop being shy, you need to manage your emotions that obstruct your life. The feelings of apprehension, anxiety, and nervousness are some emotions that tense up the mind and you are unable to contemplate and analyze properly. You need to stop those emotions from affecting your life. You can start practicing certain breathing exercises or meditation. They both help in relieving stress and calming down the body. When you practice these exercises, you feel refreshed, and you are able to think clearly. Managing your emotions become necessary when you someone comes to talk to you. You should keep your emotions under control as nervousness can be observed overtly through your body.

#8. Perform

You have learned the right behavior, and you have practiced working on your shyness so now it is time to showcase what you have learned. Do not sit back and watch others improve their lifestyle. Get up and grab the opportunities that come in your way. When you socialize, you will make more contacts which will help you do better in your career. Do not let shyness hide your skills and talents because they will be responsible for your success if you put the hard work.

#9. Mistakes Are Okay

In the entire process of handling your shyness, there may come the point where you may make a mistake in your nervousness, but you should remember that it is not a big deal. Mistakes are normal and anybody can make mistakes. So do not let one single mistake stop you from getting out of your shyness.

If you have any issues related to the article or if you have any experience to share, then please comment in the section below.  

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