Battling self consciousness

Have you ever been in a situation where you are just so aware of everything that you're doing and how it will appear to everyone else, and just feeling....self conscious?

For some people, speaking in front of a large audience makes them self conscious,most people feel self conscious when someone they really like is nearby, I for example feel self conscious when I'm alone in a crowded place.

But I do believe you can overcome it. I used to be terribly self conscious when asked to speak publicly, but now, I'm totally in my element.

One reason is because I put my self in that situation multiple times over the span of years.

I was lucky enough to be provided the opportunity a few times and after that, I started volunteering myself. Every time I spoke my self confidence increased. There were many times when I embarrassed myself and didn't want to do it the next time around, but I always had people encouraging me not to stop. Looking back now, I can't believe how far I have come.

Confidence is not something someone is magically born with, no matter what you think, anyone can learn to build confidence.

So yes, taking that as an experience, I can say that exposing yourself to situations where you feel self conscious can help you overcome it. It will be completely uncomfortable the first few- or many- times but don't let that stop you!

When you feel self conscious, you feel as if everyone is looking at you and judging you but I can confidently say that it's all in your head. You are not looking at or judging everyone in the room are you? And if you did do you think the other person would even know or care what you think? It's the same with you. Look at yourself from a third person point of view in such situations.

I'm going to try telling myself that the next time. Honestly, I know how easy giving advice is and how much more harder it is to actually follow it, but you just have to keep trying.

Insecurities make people feel self conscious. Or inexperience. When I'm in a situation where I don't know what to do, I'm totally self conscious. A common thing people feel insecure about is their appearance. I think this deserves a whole separate post. I'll attach a link when I make one . So to tackle these sort of situations you need to build experience or learn to overcome your insecurities and be more comfortable in your own skin.

Learn more about things you don't know about.

If you don't know anything about money transactions and being in situation that requires you to do so makes you self conscious, then learn how to do it! If you are asked to speak on a particular topic then the more you know about it, the more confident you'll be in expressing it.

And lastly, don't take yourself too seriously. Laugh at your mistakes and embarrassments, you're human too!

A summary:

• Identify what you feel self conscious about.

• Know that no one is paying as much attention to you as you think you are.

• Don't be afraid to put yourself in challenging situations.

• Learn and teach yourself what you don't know.

• Overcome your insecurities. Build a sense of self worth.

• Understand that confidence is something you can build. Just knowing this will make you try.