Don’t Be Shy

According to Dr. Bernardo J. Carducci of the Shyness Research Institute, shyness exists because of three factors:
1. Excessive self consciousness.  Self consciousness is that ‘everyone is watching me’ feeling. 
2. Excessive negative self evaluation.  The thoughts that there is something wrong with you, you say and do the wrong things.  Basically you see yourself in a negative light.
3. Excessive [...]

Looking through the list below you may see symptoms that you have experienced. Sometimes people are aware that they are feeling uncomfortable, but are unable to define it more than that. It may help to know which symptoms you experience to help you know what area to target as you work to overcome shyness. Worry is [...]

Are people born shy?  Simply put, a person cannot be born shy because newborns do not have a sense of self.  They are not aware that they are a separate person and since shyness requires us to have a sense of self, we cannot be born shy.
However, we are born with a temperament.  A temperament [...]

Shyness is feeling uncomfortable or apprehensive in social situations.  The discomfort may vary from mild to debilitating and can occur in a range of social situations.  For those that experience shyness regularly overcoming shyness can be a daunting task, but the good news is it can be done. 
Feeling shy often comes from feeling unsure how [...]

If you are shy, you are not alone.  In fact, I would go so far as to say, you are in very good company.    I was tempted to seek out a list of famous people who describe themselves as shy, but famous people aren’t the only ones who make good company.   Sometime you will be [...]

I received an email from Sam56 asking for some help:
“I’m shy and I really like this girl, how do I ask her out ….  I think she might like me too.  Thanks.”
Sam the best advice I can give you is just do it.  You said you think she likes you, so there is a good chance she [...]

I came across this blog post today.  This blogger believes that shyness is a choice.   I always  have an initial defensiveness towards such claims because being shy is not something I would choose.  
  The post says:
“We might even be shy only in certain situations but we chose to be shy, because we have learned that it [...]

Shyness can impact every aspect of your life, but it’s not all bad.  In fact there are many advantages to being shy.
Children:   Shy children are safer.   Children have a natural shyness that helps keep them safe until they are able to develop an ‘instinct’ towards people and situations.  Everyone has seen the small child that [...]

Shyness can impact every aspect of your life.   
This research article discusses the negative impact of being shy in a world that favours talkative people.   Here is a quick summary:
Education and career:  Shy children are less likely to get involved in activities and to participate in class discussions.  This can lead to them being overlooked by the [...]

It is a common misconception that a shy person has low self-esteem. 
 This is not necessarily the case.   Just as is nothing wrong with being outgoing and chatty, there is nothing wrong with being quiet and shy.   In fact, there are a number of benefits to being shy or an introvert.  Firstly, those of us that are [...]