Social situations can be super overwhelming for anyone. Awkward silences, possible judgement, or maybe you are walking into a party full of strangers. Here is the good thing, confidence in social settings isn’t easy, but it is a skill you can build. Along with feelings more comfortable and present in social situations, especially if you tend to be more introverted.
Being the loudest person in the room does not equal confidence. You do not need to be the most extroverted in order to be confident. Confidence is about feeling secure in yourself and finding comfort in engaging with others as yourself! This can be more difficult for those who are more shy, and is often looked at as something that shy people need to do. Not necessarily! Before trying to master the art of socializing, work on your confidence and make you unique.
There does not need to be a “right” moment to practice confidence. This can be something small like with a cashier or a barista while getting your morning coffee. Confidence grows from small wins, knowing you are able to achieve it. This can even look like smiling or saying hello to a co-worker you don’t normally engage with. This is a way to practice in a more low-pressure environment.
Refrain nervousness as excitement. In times of high anxiety, our bodies may react by turning red, becoming sweaty, and not knowing what to say from all the thoughts coming into our heads. These are really uncomfortable. Actually, your brain doesn’t really tell the difference between excitement and nervousness, since both tend to have similar sensations. A small reframe can calm the inner voices in your head.
Not knowing what to say can be a big concern in social situations. Why not prepare some talking points just in case? Of course you can’t totally plan a conversation, but it can be helpful to think of a few talking points. You will most likely feel more relaxed and confident that in the worst case, you have some topics to bring up.
Even the most confident people have awkward moments. Awkward moments are normal, and this may be something hard to wrap your head around, but it is true! It happens. But, the difference is that they don’t let awkward moments define them. If something awkward happens, laugh it off, take a breath, and most people probably will not remember this moment. This is HUMAN.
Surround yourself with supportive people! Confidence is something that grows faster when you surround yourself with people who make you feel safe and accepted, and let you be yourself. Social confidence will build naturally when you surround yourself with people who accept you. You’ve got this.
This takes time. Building confidence is like working a muscle, it takes effort over time. It is important to keep putting yourself into situations that don’t overwhelm you, but that stretch you gently. It is not about changing who you are, or becoming someone else, but becoming more comfortable with who you are.
FEEL MORE CONFIDENT WITH THERAPY FOR WOMEN IN BROOKLYN & MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
At Manhattan Wellness, we understand that with all the messages we receive from the world, it can be difficult to maintain a positive narrative about ourselves. From social media, movies, and even people close to us, it can be hard to drown out the negative. So much so that our inner critic takes over and we forget to show ourselves the same compassion as others. That’s why our female therapists want to support you in building the confidence you need to reach your highest potential. Let us help you create an empowering narrative that will benefit all aspects of your life, from personal to professional. If you are interested in beginning counseling for women:
- Submit a Contact Form or Email Us at hello@manhattanwellness.org
- Learn More About Our Team and Our Areas of Expertise
- Begin Seeing Yourself in a Whole New Light!
OTHER THERAPY SERVICES OFFERED IN MANHATTAN, WESTCHESTER BROOKLYN, & THROUGHOUT NEW YORK
At Manhattan Wellness, our therapists are here to support you in navigating this journey and reclaiming your identity. So you can take control of your life and create the future you’ve been dreaming of. This is why we offer a variety of services to ensure you get the support, care, and guidance necessary. The therapy services we offer are Self-Esteem Counseling and Anxiety Treatment, along with Dating/Relationship Counseling, Counseling for College Students, and more. Feel as if you are not living the life you deserve? Let’s talk about it.
