Do you find that an otherwise innocent occurrence like meeting your new neighbors can cause your heart to pound and leave you feeling awkward and uncomfortable? You may be shy, preferring to stay out of the limelight, avoiding conversation and interaction.

Some people who are labeled “shy” are actually introverts. Introverts draw their energy from within themselves rather than from interacting with others. So while an extrovert is making the rounds at an event, the introvert may sit in the corner, observing and thinking about the interesting qualities of the guests around him.

Actual shyness involves more of a feeling of fear. Shy people may not sit back because they prefer to observe; they will sit back because they are afraid of being rejected by others or from similar feelings.

In some cases, shyness is actually a sign of a deeper problem like social anxiety. If your shyness is debilitating, then you may wish to disregard all other advice and seek out a mental health professional to discuss helpful therapies.

One of the keys to being confident in any situation is to be happy with yourself.

If you’re perfectly content with being shy and quiet, there’s no need to change anything, and you’re sure to be a confident person.

If you’re secure in your shyness, you may want to get your friends and family on board to help maintain your confidence. Well-meaning relatives will often try to force a shy person into conversation or otherwise put him on the spot, making him increasingly uncomfortable. The more that other people treat you like there’s something wrong with you, the more likely you are to start to lose confidence and agree with their perception. Surround yourself with people who appreciate you for who you are.

If you feel like your shyness really is impeding your ability to be happy and confident, then you should commit yourself to decreasing your level of shyness.

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