Overcoming Social Anxiety - A Journey Together!
Hey everyone! I hope you're all doing well.
I've been working on overcoming my social anxiety, and have made significant progress in reducing it. I wanted to share my experience and some strategies that have helped me in hopes that they might help you too.
I know many of you here struggle with social anxiety too, I've seen numerous forum posts and group chats on this topic, and it's heartbreaking to see so many people going through this, especially because I've personally felt the profound impact it can have on one's life.
That's why I really wanted to share this post. Feel free to share it with anyone here who might be dealing with social anxiety. My goal is for it to reach as many people as possible and offer support.
Important Note
This post isn't a substitute for professional help, but I hope it can offer some support and guidance to those who, like me, are navigating this journey without professional assistance.
My Experience With Social Anxiety
Initially, I used to find it incredibly daunting to even think about leaving my house or being in public spaces. Even just being watched by people used to be so scary for me. I always avoided going to public places.
But over time, I learned that avoiding situations that made me anxious only reinforced my fear. So, I decided to face my anxiety head-on, step by step.
I began seeing each outing as a chance to work on reducing my social anxiety.
Throughout this journey, I have learned numerous strategies that have helped me cope and grow.
Additionally, gaining awareness, understanding, and consistently reminding myself about various aspects of social anxiety has facilitated my journey and made it more manageable.
Insights And Strategies
I'll be sharing these strategies and insights in the comments section, as listing them all here would make this post overly lengthy. Moreover, since I'm still in the process of overcoming and learning, new insights and tips continue to surface. Thus, I'll share them one by one in the comments. Please keep checking periodically as I will be posting them gradually, whether weekly, daily, or as often as possible.
Sharing And Supporting Each Other
Feel free to share your experience with social anxiety in the comments below and express how it affects you and makes you feel. You can suggest any strategies that have worked for you, whether you developed them yourself or found them elsewhere.
Let's support each other by reading each other's experiences and responding with suggestions and encouraging words.
Together, we can remind each other that we're not alone in this journey.
Daliy Progress
Feel free to share your daily progress too in the comments, detailing what steps you took to overcome social anxiety each day.
It can serve as motivation for others who may currently feel unable to overcome their social anxiety. Sharing your progress can show them that gradual steps and community support can make a difference in their journey.
Your ongoing engagement is greatly appreciated.
Personal Diary
Additionally, you can keep a personal diary to record & track your progress and feelings throughout this journey of overcoming social anxiety. Tracking your journey can offer valuable insights and serve as a supportive resource along the way.
Final Thoughts
I believe overcoming social anxiety alone can be difficult, but together, we can make it significantly easier. While it may take time, consistent efforts within our supportive community can facilitate the journey and remind you that you're not alone. With our big and compassionate cups family, we can and will conquer social anxiety together.
@reliablebunny23 Thank you for being vulnerable and well done on facing your fears:)
Your tips are very thoughtful and I thank you for sharing them
- Anyone reading this please continue to ask yourself the why questions, why is it important that you are well-received?
-Spontaneity can ease the pressure to come off well - I feel it can.
- An important step can be saying "yes i can mess up at times and take it on board that nobody you are chatting with is perfect and neither are you" Messing up makes you human yes and at the same times you have a responsibility to push yourself <3 It doesn't not need to be a big jump it can be a gradual step
@GoldenRuleJG Thank you so much for adding in these wonderful tips. <3
@reliablebunny23 💜💜💜💜💜
@reliablebunny23
Thank you bunny for sharing your journey, it means a lot to people going through the same or similar experiences and also for people who have loved ones dealing with social anxiety. This post can give us all insights on how to cope, break down the issues into simple issues to deal with step by step, and know that we are all in this together and can collectively tackle it. 🫂:) <3
@TU100OT I'm glad you find it helpful. Yessss, we all are together in this journey of overcoming social anxiety. <3
@reliablebunny23
😇
@reliablebunny23
Wonderful bunny! That's a helpful post for evryone, thanks for sharing!💗
I am so happy to see you grow, proud of you! 😍💖
Let's bring out our proactive muscles and get over social anxiety !!!! 😃🤝💪🌟💝
@KindleMissie thank you <3
& yessss, let's do it !!
@reliablebunny23 Your welcome! 😊💗
Yup! Let's GO!!!!!! ✌️💫
Hello everyone!
How are you all doing?
I've come across a fantastic self-help guide for managing social anxiety that I found incredibly helpful. I thought I'd share it with you in case anyone isn't familiar with it yet.
https://www.7cups.com/social-anxiety/
It provides valuable insights into understanding social anxiety that are essential to know.
I recommend keeping a diary to jot down your answers to the guide's questions and your own thoughts & reflections on what you learn from it.
The link - https://www.7cups.com/social-anxiety/
@reliablebunny23 The guide seems broken:
@cloudySummer
The guide isn't broken, the question is which one of those symptoms is "NOT" an example of a physical anxiety symptom, the correct answer is Option C - irritability, as it is not an example of physical anxiety symptom It is an emotional anxiety symptom as mentioned above in the guide.
@reliablebunny23 Honestly, that sounds like nonsense. Of course someone who is anxious can show their anxiety as being irritable.
@cloudySummer
I think irritability represents more mentally than a physical symptom. For example - you can be irritable about things not working out, but physically you would either do something to avoid it or do show displeasement towards someone
@TU100OT Oh, you're right! Thanks. And sorry, @reliableBunny!
@cloudySummer
Glad I could help 😇
Strategy #3
Pay attention to the way you speak to yourself, especially in social situations. Notice if you are being overly critical or negative.
When you catch yourself thinking negatively, question the accuracy of these thoughts. Ask yourself if they are based on facts or irrational fears.
Instance: Suppose you're at a study group and you feel anxious about sharing your ideas. After you speak, you might think, "I probably sounded dumb. They must think I don’t know what I'm talking about." Instead of letting this negative self-talk dominate, challenge it by asking yourself if this thought is based on actual feedback or just your own fear. Consider that your peers are likely focused on the discussion rather than judging you harshly. Replace the negative thought with something more constructive, like, 'Everyone has their own style of contributing, and it's okay to make mistakes. My ideas are valuable, and sharing them helps me and the group'.
Strategy #4
If you feel too anxious about entering a room, class, or place full of people, try this technique: Dress up in your favorite outfit—something you love wearing and that you’ve received compliments on. Make a beautiful hairstyle that you feel confident about. And then, give yourself five genuine compliments. This practice can boost your self-esteem and reduce anxiety by reinforcing a positive self-image.
Instance: Imagine you’re about to attend a new class or a social event and start feeling overwhelmed. Before you leave, stand in front of a mirror and tell yourself five things you genuinely appreciate about yourself. For example, you might say, ‘I am a good listener,’ ‘I am prepared for today’s class,’ ‘I have a friendly & beautiful smile,’ ‘I’m capable of handling new situations,’ and ‘I am worthy of being in this space.’ By focusing on these positive aspects, you can build confidence and ease some of the anxiety about entering a crowded or unfamiliar environment.
Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.
~ Vincent Van Gogh
Take a small step every day. We all can & will overcome this.❤️
Whenever I had to go somewhere outside, like walking to my tuition (even though it’s just a 5-minute walk), my social anxiety made it incredibly hard. I was always worried about being watched and judged by others. In the beginning, I used to refuse to walk and would ask my father to drop me off instead. But since he didn’t always have the time, I eventually had to walk there alone.
@reliablebunny23
Thank you so much Bunny for sharing these wonderful strategies!!😊 It's great to hear that these methods have helped you. You are so brave and determined🌟. It’s inspiring to see how you’ve turned these moments of anxiety into opportunities for self-growth. Your approach of questioning those fears and focusing on what really matters is really practical and thoughtful. So so so happy to see you making progress and growing!!💗 YAYY!!!🎉 lots of love and hugs for you💕
