How to Overcome Shyness

If you are shy, you may feel worried about how others evaluate your communication. Shyness can act as a barrier that prevents others from getting to know you. However, being shy must not keep you from sharing your feelings with friends, family members or co-workers. Change your thought patterns and the way you perceive social situations so that you can express your feelings.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Write down your feelings in a journal. This act helps you organize your thoughts, which makes you feel in control before engaging in a conversation about your feelings.
2. Review what happened previously when you shared your feelings with someone. If you had a positive experience, think about what characterized this interaction and how you can repeat it. If you had a negative experience, think about what you can change to improve it.
3. Observe the communication skills of someone you admire. Note the way others respond to this person. Take one or two of the key phrases or ideas this person uses, and make them your own.
4. Confront your fears in a role-playing situation. Sit down with a trusted family member or friend, and practice sharing your feelings with them before you meet with the actual recipient.
5. Practice sharing your feelings in front of a mirror. This practice is helpful if you are extremely shy or want to have a trial run of sharing some private feelings intended for one person only. Whisper them, shout them and say them several times and ways until the fear drains away.
6. Talk to your doctor if your shyness extends to all social interactions and is keeping you in isolation. Your doctor can talk to you about whether therapy or pharmacological treatments are appropriate.