Posted by Mike Thurnell on Sunday, December 10, 2023
True confessions here. I am by nature an introvert and I struggle at times with some elements of social interaction.
Although I act very often like I'm confident - in fact sometimes I think I force myself to be on the verge of "cocky", - in truth I am battling with self confidence. I worry far too much about how people see me and that, at times becomes my obsession.
I'm reminded of the quotes..."Don't worry about other people not liking you, they don't like themselves" and "if you knew how little people felt about you, you wouldn't worry about their opinions at all". Another one I like is from Dr. Seuss, "those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind".
I've been caught in two situations recently when my shyness and insecurity effected some great opportunities. One social event I decided to miss because some people who didn't like me would be attending. On another very recent occasion I missed out on meeting some new people because my insecurity was forcing me to stay in my chair.
I remind myself that I need to be gentle with myself and that I have many qualities that only now I'm starting to realize.
I guess I'm only hurting myself by hiding my light from the world.
