3 Steps to Shaking Off Self-Consciousness

We’ve all felt self-conscious at one point or another; some of us more so, and more often, than others.  It can be uncomfortable to incredibly debilitating, but it doesn’t have to be this way!  There are some things we ought to keep in mind and with a little practice, self-consciousness can be a thing of the past.

Remember it’s not all about you!

At the heart of self-consciousness lies that awful feeling that ‘everyone’ is looking at you, ‘everyone’ is thinking this or that about you.  But we must remember, to put it rather bluntly, that the world does not revolve around us.  ‘Everyone’ – including us after all! – is usually too wrapped up in themselves to give any thought to whatever we may be feeling self-conscious about, and chances are they either don’t notice, or don’t think anything of it.

Don’t do other people’s thinking for them

Self-consciousness is often accompanied by over-thinking.  I used to analyse things to death, and it was such a waste of time, energy, and totally exhausting.  I would have re-examined conversations I’d had with others and tried to think what they would have thought about things I’d said – just normal conversations, nothing of any importance – but I am the world’s worst mind-reader.

Let go

Letting go is one of those things that are easier said than done.  But it’s about remembering something simple – you’re powerless over what people think about you, and their actions.  You have no control over what the future holds and the past is gone, never to return.  So be content in the now, in the present moment.

Do you have any tips for over-coming self-consciousness?