Being shy leads to missing out on opportunities like jobs and relationships. Shy people can attest to feeling terrible after failing to be confident. Read on to find out how to stop being shy.
Shyness is a trait in a lot of people today. It’s easy to say that you’re going to accept your shyness and move on with life. That’s not the best way to go about shyness because it can cost you a lot. Being shy can cause people to repeatedly take advantage of you.
It’s easy to recognize when you are being shy. Shy people tend to find it hard to say no to something even though they want to. Shy people find it hard to tell someone they are being unfair or disrespectful. Because of this, shy people find themselves adjusting with something as small as a wrong order. People who are confident usually can’t relate to shy people’s struggles. If you are shy however, you need to realize that you are not alone, and that shyness can be overcome. You can learn how to stop being shy.
Why You Should Stop Being Shy
A lot of people can relate to being shy and missing out on opportunities. Shyness stems from a lot of factors including upbringing and trauma. Some people can be shy in particular situations and yet other people can be shy in almost every social setting. Shyness can cause you to feel anxious when the spotlight is on you. When you think someone is better than you, chances are, you’re going to be shy and awkward. You won’t meet their eyes, you’ll feel hot and sweaty, and you’ll want the conversation to end as soon as possible.
The thing is, no one is better than you. We’re all equal here on earth. I know you may be apprehensive of this statement but the fact is, the things that make someone else better than you are subjective. The media tells us that the successful and happy people are the ones that have wealth and money. Yeah, they have it better than others, but are they really better than you because of that? Well, I’m here to tell you that no, wealthy people are not better than you. Everyone deserves to be treated with the same respect and fairness.
How to Stop Being Shy
Here are 5 ways to stop being shy:
1 | Give it your worst
Go out there and embarrass yourself. Try and fail to be confident. Every time you have to pretend to be confident, do it. Bluster through presentations. Talk to new people like you aren’t shy. Fake it till you make it. Do your best to be bold and sure of yourself. It doesn’t matter if you feel embarrassed. Do what needs to be done!
2 | Find yourself
We are shy because we aren’t sure of who we are. We keep comparing ourselves to other people, and find ourselves lacking. Write down a list of things you are proud of in yourself. Don’t compare your qualities to other people’s. As Theodore Roosevelt said, comparison is the thief of joy. It doesn’t matter if someone is more intelligent than you, all that matters is that YOU are intelligent. It might be hard for you but you need to believe this wholeheartedly. You are enough as you are. This can help you to stop being shy.
3 | Be positive
If you’re shy because you tend to overthink your next statement in a conversation, or you think people will judge you wrongly, you need to be more positive. You aren’t weird or awkward. You’re human, just like everybody else. Also, think positive about yourself. Your thoughts and opinions are valid. Don’t be afraid to voice out your opinions. It will be hard at first but as time goes on, you’ll become a natural.
4 | Stop caring about what other people think
A lot of the time, we’re thinking what other people think of us. Check out this quote by Charles Horton Cooley: “I am not what I think I am. I am not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am.” It’s a handful, but it makes so much sense. In essence, we think we know what other people think of us. But usually, most people don’t think the same way we do. We’re usually way off when we imagine someone’s reaction. So, stop caring what other people think and do your thing.
5 | Stand up straight and give off confident vibes
Throw your shoulders back and straighten your spine. Show people that you are important and that you deserve respect. Avoid closing in on yourself because this sends signals that you are a shy person. Smile and maintain eye contact. Dress well. Fix your outward appearance to make you feel confident on the inside. This is a great step to stop being shy.
Focus on being more confident
In this article we learned about why you should stop being shy as well as how to stop being shy. It’s great that you want to stop being shy. Start concentrating on improving your self confidence. Shyness stems from how you think of yourself. Believe that you are worthy of being confident. Don’t entertain any self sabotaging thoughts. Life is too short to set yourself back by being shy.
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