YOUNG PEOPLE ASK; 2 How can you overcome shyness?

 

YOUNG PEOPLE ASK 

How can you overcome shyness?

The bad news

Shyness can make you miss out on good friendships and new experiences.

The good news

Being shy isn’t always negative. It can help you think before speaking, be more observant, and listen carefully to others.

The best news

Shyness doesn’t last forever. Just because you’re shy now doesn’t mean you’ll always be shy. With effort, you can learn to overcome it.

What are you afraid of?

Shyness can make you freeze at the thought of talking face-to-face. That may leave you feeling isolated, like being stuck in a dark room. But when you “turn on the light” and face your fears, you’ll see they aren’t as frightening as they seemed.

• “I don’t know what to say.” Fact: People don’t remember your exact words as much as how they felt talking to you. Show interest in what others say and listen attentively.

• “People will think I’m boring.” Fact: People will always have opinions, whether you’re shy or not. The best way forward is to let them see the real you.

• “What if I say something silly?” Fact: Everyone makes mistakes. If you say something wrong, it’s a chance to show humility and honesty.

💡 Tip: Texting may feel easier, but true friendships grow stronger in person. Psychologist Sherry Turkle wrote: “Only when we see people’s faces and hear their voices do we truly connect with one another.”

Tips to overcome shyness

• Don’t compare yourself to others. You don’t need to be outgoing, but you can manage your shyness to enjoy friendships more.

  “Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.” — Galatians 6:4

• Be observant. Watch how confident people interact. What works? What doesn’t? Which qualities could you imitate?

  “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17

• Ask questions. People like to share opinions. Asking questions is a great way to start conversations and shift the focus away from yourself. Planning topics ahead of time can also reduce anxiety.

  “Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” — Philippians 2:4

What other young people say

• Kelsey: “Start small, like a smile or a simple ‘Hi, how are you?’ You’ll be surprised how well it works.”

• Robin: “Everyone has something interesting to share. If you don’t open up, people won’t discover your qualities.”

• Veronica: “Make others feel comfortable and they’ll like you, even if you’re shy. A genuine smile helps a lot.”