

Human: How do I get over shyness in social situations?

Assistant: 
Shyness is a real and pervasive challenge, and there are a variety of things you can do to help overcome it. Perhaps the most important step is to reduce the role of your inner critic.  Most shy people have learned to fear social situations, and to be constantly worried about what other people will think of them.  This inner critic, even unspoken, is very limiting and will make you less confident and less comfortable in social settings.  As you work to diminish your inner critic, you will become more aware of your values and opinions, which will help you reflect on some of the more extreme views of the world that others may hold about you.  You will look at their perspectives not with suspicion, but with empathy, and this will help you feel more confident and at ease.
Shyness is a normal and natural feeling.  The causes of shyness are varied, but shyness can come from insecure attachment styles, an excessive fear of being judged or rejected, or from other feelings such as anxiety or anxiety-related disorders.  In general, however, you don’t need to worry too much about shyness or wasting time trying to “get over” shyness.  Instead, being shy is simply a characteristic of your personality, and there’s no need to worry about it too much, or to try to change your basic personality.  