How to Cope with Your Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is something that I’ve struggled with. I’m sure you’re reading this because you have it, too. It’s a common problem that many of us face, yet the last thing we want is for our fans to feel alone. Our goal here at Psych2Go is to create a safe space for you where we can share our stories with each other. As a content creator, I often produce articles that can help you relate, but my favorite part is being able to engage with the people I come across every day! Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Barbara Milavec from Free From Social Anxiety. We hope that by sharing her insights and story on surviving social anxiety that they can motivate you to find the strength to do the same. ♥
4. What are some coping methods/strategies that you use for your social anxiety?
I don’t have much social anxiety anymore. Of course, I do get anxious before a very important event or before public speaking, but it has nothing to do with the social anxiety disorder I used to have, so I deal with it differently now. I would also like to say that the strategies I used are not helpful just for coping, but are also efficient for overcoming social anxiety disorder permanently.
I practice very different methods because in my experience, it’s the combination that makes them powerful. Some of them are classic techniques, like belly breathing, positive self-talk, self-hypnosis, mindfulness, practicing self-acceptance, and so on.
However, the most powerful thing you can do to dissolve social anxiety is to focus on the good in people, look for what you can learn from them, and grow love for them. The opposite of love is fear, not hate. And when you learn to grow that love from within, fear automatically melts away. With love, I don’t mean that you let yourself be abused or treated badly by someone, or that you approve of their abusive behavior. As said earlier, love includes the love for yourself, and it helps you understand, forgive, let go, and move on.
Speaking about coping methods and strategies, it’s important to note that usually none of them are powerful on the first try. Like with most things in life, the more you do it, the better you become.
I see people trying one thing once or twice and say “this doesn’t work for me.” This kind of attitude doesn’t work for anyone (or very rarely)! Then, they lose hope and think they can’t overcome their struggles, which is a shame because we are capable of so much more than we think. We have an unlimited potential within us.
5. We have many fans who also struggle with social anxiety. Do you have anything you’d like to let them know or have any words of encouragement for them?
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