For a long time, I didn’t think overcoming social anxiety was in the cards for me.

I recently had a consultation call with a woman who shared her struggles with social anxiety, something I could deeply relate to. She even mentioned missing her friend’s wedding because of it, which reminded me of the time I missed my cousin’s wedding due to social anxiety. 

It made me reflect on an important lesson I’ve learned – the fears we believe others have about us are often projections of our own self-doubts. When we feel inadequate, we assume others see us that way too. 

This realization led me to develop mindset shifts that can help us break free from social anxiety and build genuine confidence.

Keep reading or watch this Reel to know the 3 mindset shifts for overcoming social anxiety.

@happywoz

You wouldnt trust a stranger. You have to get to know them first. Then you will feel safe enough to be honest and vulnerable with them. Same is true for our relationship with ourselves. This is why I use ny Soulful Alignment technique with all my clients. Stress and anxiety takes us away from who we really are and how we show up in the world. This allows us to be comfortable being our authentic selves around other people. #socialanxiety #socialanxietytips #authenticliving #impostersyndrome #selflove #selftrust #momsover30 #momsover40 #momsover50 #dadsover40

♬ original sound – Sandy Woznicki Stress Coach

Here are three mindset shifts that helped me overcome my social anxiety:

1. Stop worrying about what other people think.

One of the biggest causes of social anxiety is the fear of being judged. We worry that people will think we’re stupid, or boring, or weird. But the truth is, most people are too busy worrying about themselves to be judging you.

So next time you’re feeling anxious in a social situation, remind yourself that everyone else is just as worried about themselves as you are. And then focus on enjoying the moment, instead of worrying about what other people might be thinking.

5 mindset shifts to stop worrying what other people think of you.

2. Accept yourself for who you are.

Another big cause of social anxiety is low self-esteem. We compare ourselves to others and find ourselves lacking. But the truth is, we’re all unique individuals with our own strengths and weaknesses.

So instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on accepting yourself for who you are. Celebrate your strengths and work on your weaknesses. And remember that you are worthy of love and respect, just the way you are.

How to find your true, authentic self.

3. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

Everyone makes mistakes. It’s a part of life. But when we have social anxiety, we tend to beat ourselves up over our mistakes. We think that we’re the only ones who make mistakes and that everyone else is perfect.

But the truth is, everyone makes mistakes. And the more you make mistakes, the better you’ll get at handling them. So next time you make a mistake in a social situation, don’t beat yourself up about it. Just laugh it off and move on.

How to let go of embarrassing mistakes.

The bottom line

These are just a few mindset shifts that can help you overcome social anxiety. Overcoming social anxiety is a journey that requires patience and self-compassion. By adopting these mindset shifts, you can break free from the grip of social anxiety and confidently navigate social situations. Believe in yourself, and the world will see your true worth. You’ve got this!

Where to go from here:

  1. Work with me 1:1: For leaders and parents feeling lost trying to grow and heal on their own, ready for a guide on their journey out of anxiety into the happiest, most Zen-Badass version of yourself from the boardroom to the family room.
  2. 21 Day Meditation-in-Action emotional transformation (now only $37). In as few as 4 minutes a day, learn how to retrain your mind for resilience, peace and focus.
  3. Free Training – Learn the 4 Shifts to Ease Anxiety and Find Your Inner Zen-Badass: Access the free mini-but-mighty Graceful Resilience® training to learn the skills to become calm, confident and in control over your emotions so your career and relationships thrive.