Overcome shyness
Facing your fears can make you feel strong and confident.
Do you sometimes feel nervous when talking to someone you don’t know? Everyone feels shy from time to time but overcoming your fears can make you feel stronger and more confident.
What does being shy feel like?
When you feel shy you may be awkward around people, especially if you don’t know them well. It’s an uncomfortable feeling that can also make you blush, your heart beat faster and even give you an upset tummy. The Week Junior reader Joni, aged nine, describes what being shy feels like to her. “When my friends are around I feel like I have a shell around me that is protecting me but on my own I feel very vulnerable,” she says.
Feeling fearful
If the thought of speaking in front of other people scares you, you’re not alone. Even football stars like Marcus Rashford feel shy sometimes. Although if this fear is stopping you from making friends or having fun, try talking to a close friend or trusted adult about it. Difficult feelings can be easier to manage when you share them with others.
Shy strengths
Shyness doesn’t have to hold you back, says author Ben Brooks. It can even be a strength; in his book You Don’t Have to Be Loud, he explains that people who are shy can be great listeners as well as being kind, compassionate and good at solving problems. “Being shy is not a failure and being quiet is not a weakness,” he says. “Both can be powerful sources of energy. It’s all down to how we use them.”
How can I feel less shy?
Everyone feels awkward sometimes but you can build up your confidence slowly by setting yourself small goals like smiling, saying hello to someone you don’t know at school or by putting your hand up in class. The more you practise small goals, the easier they become, and they can soon feel natural. As a quieter person, you can use your listening skills to help others to open up. Brooks says, “You might find it difficult to raise your voice, but there’s more than one way to be heard. Tap into all the things that make you who you are,” he says, and “you will be amazed by the inspiring, remarkable, brave, kind and unexpected things you’re capable of.”