Shyness

Hello there. You know that feeling when your cheeks get hot during a class presentation, or when your voice gets stuck in your throat when meeting new people? That’s me, Shyness. I'm the quiet whisper that asks, 'What if they don’t like me?' or 'What if I say the wrong thing?' Some people think I'm a problem to be solved, but I'm really here to help you be a great observer and a thoughtful friend. I am the feeling of shyness, and I help you pause and understand a situation before you jump in.

Let’s talk about the first day of school, maybe September 2nd. You walk into the cafeteria and it’s so loud. You see a table of kids laughing, playing a card game, and you really want to join, but I make your feet feel like they’re glued to the floor. I make your heart thump like a drum solo. But wait. Because I’ve made you pause, you’ve noticed something others missed: one of the kids is struggling with the rules of the game. Instead of trying to be loud and outgoing, you can walk over and quietly ask, 'Is this the game where the 7th card is wild? I love this one.' See? You used my observant nature to find a perfect, low-pressure way in. I don’t have to disappear for you to be brave; sometimes, I’m the very thing that helps you find the smartest way to connect. I continue to help people today by encouraging them to listen more, observe carefully, and form deeper, more thoughtful connections.