My name is Alex, and I’m a self-conscious wreck.
At least, I used to be more of the time.
Self-consciousness stops us from enjoying the beauty of interacting with others and delivering our truth.
We can end up in a spiral of doubt, poor performance and further doubt.
It can be crippling. I’ve been there many times, and it has held me back.
We’re human, and it’s ok to feel a little self-conscious. In fact, it is helpful. It keeps us from heading out of the house with no trousers on.
I get it up to that point.
But for it to consume you, and for it to ruin otherwise enriching interactions, it is a waste.
Life is too short to worry like this.
The first step is in understanding that it’s all your fault.
It’s not the fault of others that you are self-conscious right now.
It’s your fault.
You take yourself too seriously.
You take your thoughts seriously. Those mythical thoughts that make you unnecessarily fearful.
I certainly did, and still do too often.
But there is power in accepting this.
Only you can take your attention away from negative thought.
Which is what you need to do.
Redirecting your attention from negative thoughts.
It is not easy, but it is vital.
This is what will break that cycle of rumination, anxiety, sweating, and depression.
And this needs to become a habit. I’d argue that this is the most vital one of them all.
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
