4 Ways to Overcome Shyness
Stop describing yourself as shy
The words we say and think about ourselves are powerful. If you keep describing yourself this way, you, and others will see you that way. Instead why not say ‘I am helping myself to feel more confident,’ or even better, use an affirmation. Affirmations are statements which affirm what you are working towards or hoping for is already so. Example:
I am confident and love speaking with other people
I enjoy public speaking and feel good about it
Or whatever it is that you feel you can’t do right now and would love to be able to, turn it into your own affirmation. Read it and say it many times each day.
Practise those things you find challenging every day
Practise makes perfect. Think of it as a workout of sorts, strengthening those confidence muscles. If you are serious about evolving out of your shyness you need to roll up your sleeves and do some anti-shyness workouts on a regular basis. If you find yourself avoiding talking to others, find small opportunities to do so. Make small talk at the checkout, it’s fine to comment on the weather if you are not sure what to say, one step at a time. Make that phone call you have been avoiding making, rather than sending a text or email.
Use your Mirror to Help You
Ever talk to yourself in the mirror? Have a conversation. Warning: If you have never done this before it is possible that you will feel super-silly and awkward the first few times. It gets easier though. Enjoy saying good morning or good night to yourself, and ‘how is your day going?’ Why would I do this? Because it’s practise. The more you do it the less icky it feels and it’s really no big deal. It’s also very affirming to say hi to yourself. It’s possible that some people’ shyness is worsened by not having a great relationship with self. Is this the case for you? Make friends with yourself, and you will be easier to make friends with.
Watch how confident, non-shy looking people do things and learn
….Not so you can say to yourself ‘I’ll never be like that.’ You won’t – because you are you. But what is it that you admire about the way they carry themselves, the things they talk about, their mannerisms, their air of confidence etc? Can you imagine any of these things translated onto you in your new way of being? Get clear about what changes you would like to achieve for yourself by being inspired by others. It’s quite different from trying to emulate or copy them.
Below is a video from you YouTube channel you might enjoy and find useful for overcoming shyness also. If you like it, please share with others who might benefit, and subscribe.
