The scent of crisp pine and the cold December breeze are unmistakable signs that the holidays are just around the bend. And while the season of merriment is fast-approaching, various social activities are looming, which most shy people are dreading to avoid. Worse, the holiday season is a time of year when feelings of love, joy, grief, and anxiety tend to be exaggerated.
Shy people are preoccupied with thoughts of self-consciousness and insecurity. They always feel that others are looking at them with scrutiny. A feeling of falling short of expectations. What shy people don’t realize is that other people can feel just as uncomfortable at social events as they are.
Shyness is characterized by a feeling of discomfort or inhibition at social situations that interferes with our ability to enjoy, to perform at the level we are capable of, or causes us to avoid social situations altogether. It is a form of excessive self-focus, a preoccupation with one’s thoughts, feelings, and physical reactions. Shyness may range from mild social awkwardness to totally inhibiting social phobia, more commonly known as Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD).
Social phobia is a...