Social Anxiety
When Facing Others Feels Like Losing Yourself
Social anxiety can feel like your sense of self is melting away, slipping through your fingers just when you need it most. One moment you're seated at a table, trying to stay present, and the next, your mind is racing with thoughts like, "Am I talking too much?" "Do I sound weird?" "What if they notice I'm nervous?" The more you try to hold it together,
the more it seems to fall apart. But social anxiety isn't a permanent melt, there are ways
to ground yourself and feel whole again. Here’s how to start regaining control:
Breathe into the Moment — When anxiety starts to rise, take slow, deep breaths. Focus on the feeling of the air moving in and out of your lungs. It’s a simple but powerful way
to remind your body that you’re safe.
Reframe Your Thoughts — Instead of thinking, “They’re judging me,” try, “They’re probably more focused on themselves than me.” Most people are kinder (and more distracted) than our anxious minds assume.
Small Exposure, Big Impact — Ease into social situations gradually. Start with shorter, smaller gatherings to build confidence, and celebrate the fact that you showed up,
that’s the win.
Anchor Yourself with the Senses — Feel your feet on the ground, notice the texture of the chair, or sip a drink and really taste it. Grounding in physical sensations helps pull you out of your head.
Let Go of Perfection — No conversation flows perfectly, and that’s okay. Sometimes, allowing yourself to be a little awkward takes the pressure off and makes you
more relatable.
Social anxiety may try to melt your confidence, but the truth is, you don’t need to "fix" yourself to belong. The more you accept your discomfort, the less power it has over you.
Social Anxiety
When Facing Others Feels Like Losing Yourself
Social anxiety can feel like your sense of self is melting away, slipping through your fingers just when you need
it most. One moment you're seated at a table, trying
to stay present, and the next, your mind is racing with thoughts like, "Am I talking too much?" "Do I sound weird?" "What if they notice I'm nervous?" The more you try to hold it together, the more it seems to fall apart.
But social anxiety isn't a permanent melt, there are ways
to ground yourself and feel whole again. Here’s how
to start regaining control:
Breathe into the Moment — When anxiety starts to rise, take slow, deep breaths. Focus on the feeling of the air moving in and out of your lungs. It’s a simple but powerful way to remind your body that you’re safe.
Reframe Your Thoughts — Instead of thinking, “They’re judging me,” try, “They’re probably more focused on themselves than me.” Most people are kinder (and more distracted) than our anxious minds assume.
Small Exposure, Big Impact — Ease into social situations gradually. Start with shorter, smaller gatherings to build confidence, and celebrate the fact that you showed up,
that’s the win.
Anchor Yourself with the Senses — Feel your feet on the ground, notice the texture of the chair, or sip a drink
and really taste it. Grounding in physical sensations
helps pull you out of your head.
Let Go of Perfection — No conversation flows perfectly, and that’s okay. Sometimes, allowing yourself to be a little awkward takes the pressure off and makes you
more relatable.
Social anxiety may try to melt your confidence, but
the truth is, you don’t need to "fix" yourself to belong.
The more you accept your discomfort, the less power
it has over you.
Social Anxiety
When Facing Others Feels Like Losing Yourself
Social anxiety can feel like your sense of self is melting away, slipping through your fingers just when you need it most. One moment you're seated at a table, trying to stay present, and the next, your mind is racing with thoughts like, "Am I talking too much?" "Do I sound weird?" "What if they notice I'm nervous?" The more you try to hold it together, the more it seems
to fall apart. But social anxiety isn't a permanent melt, there are ways to ground yourself and feel whole again. Here’s how to start regaining control:
Breathe into the Moment — When anxiety starts to rise, take slow, deep breaths. Focus on the feeling of the air moving in and out of your lungs. It’s a simple but powerful way to remind your body that you’re safe.
Reframe Your Thoughts — Instead of thinking, “They’re judging me,” try, “They’re probably more focused on themselves than me.” Most people are kinder (and more distracted) than our anxious minds assume.
Small Exposure, Big Impact — Ease into social situations gradually. Start with shorter, smaller gatherings to build confidence, and celebrate the fact that you showed up,
that’s the win.
Anchor Yourself with the Senses — Feel your feet on the ground, notice the texture of the chair,
or sip a drink and really taste it. Grounding in physical sensations helps pull you out of your head.
Let Go of Perfection — No conversation flows perfectly,
and that’s okay. Sometimes, allowing yourself to be a little awkward takes the pressure off and makes you more relatable.
Social anxiety may try to melt your confidence, but the truth is, you don’t need to "fix" yourself
to belong. The more you accept your discomfort, the less power
it has over you.
“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
"Slow, deep breathing is important;
It's like an anchor in the midst of an emotional storm: the anchor won't make the storm go away,
but it will hold you steady until it passes."
– Russ Harris, The Happiness Trap
"Slow, deep breathing
is important;
It's like an anchor in the midst of an emotional storm: the anchor won't make the storm go away,
but it will hold you steady until it passes."
– Russ Harris, The Happiness Trap
