You see me, but you see through me. I have become accustomed to fading into the shadows, easily overwhelmed by loud and crowded spaces. Sweaty palms and a thundering chest, vision blurry and breathing thick air. I am not weird, I am frightened… frightened of your thoughts and judgements that I’ve mostly created in my own mind. But what if you’ve made them too? I want so badly to fit in and laugh and talk with you. I have so many jokes that will make your day. Why is this so hard?
What is social anxiety? Social anxiety is when social interactions cause irrational anxiety. For individuals who have social anxiety, everyday interactions can be anxiety inducing and cause irrational fear, self-consciousness and embarrassment.
Having social anxiety is becoming more and more prevalent amongst our youth. This can be contributed to the fact that there is so much more pressure to be included; to belong and to fit into a specific mould. A mould created by unrealistic ideals on social media and society’s high expectations for success. The added anxiety to excel not just academically but socially, is becoming one of the leading causes of depression and anxiety conditions amongst our youth.
Social anxiety may present itself in the following ways:
⁃ Fear of others noticing your anxiety
⁃ Missing school or work because of anxiety
⁃ Avoiding any social events
⁃ Fear of being the centre of attention
⁃ Fear of doing or saying something offensive
⁃ Extreme fear of being judged
⁃ Obsessing about an upcoming social appointment
⁃ Excessive anxiety during everyday interactions
The following affirmations can help reduce social anxiety:
⁃ Let go of the idealization of perfection.
⁃ Our thoughts are not facts.
⁃ You are worthy and good enough.You deserve to be loved and to love yourself.
⁃ People are more focused on themselves than on you.
⁃ You don’t have to be scared of speaking your mind.
⁃ Everyone feels insecure and shy sometimes.
⁃ You are more capable than you believe.
“When your chest aches and your head is swimming with all of your faults and all of your flaws and you can’t seem to find your footing, remember that fear is a liar. That you have been here before, and you will breathe again. Remember that you are enough. Always enough.” – Joshua