What do you picture when you think of shyness? A person keeping their head down, not talking, and/or huddling in a corner? Well, that's an exaggeration. There are many shy folks out there and they're all different. Most of the time, shyness is mistaken for social anxiety or introversion. While these things can accompany shyness, they're not the same thing as shyness. Down below is a list of a few misconceptions about shyness that are important to know.
1. We're snobby.
GiphyCome on...seriously? Just because we don't immediately throw ourselves into social interaction doesn't mean we think we're better than everyone else. Most of us don't have the confidence to put ourselves out there, and some of us are even terrified.
2. We're socially anxious.
GiphyWhile this is true for some shy folks, not every shy person is socially anxious. There are people who aren't shy that have social anxiety. Please keep in mind that shyness and social anxiety are not the same things. Shy people tend to worry about what others think about them, while those who are socially anxious are just nervous around others period.
3. We're born shy.
GiphyWow, really? As humorous as it sounds, people are not born shy. According to the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast, shyness can develop due to excessive self-consciousness, negative self-evaluation, and negative self-preoccupation. These characteristics don't show themselves until after eighteen months of age. Yep...
4. We're anti-social.
GiphySorry guys, but "shy" and "anti-social" are not the same thing. Sure, they're similar, but there are differences. Those who are shy may not have a problem being in the company of others, but people who are antisocial don't like social settings at all. This is just one of the many dividers between shyness and anti-social behavior.
5. We're introverted.
GiphyI understand these two are very similar, but they're different, too. Introverts can socialize but become emotionally drained after spending time with others for a prolonged period of time and prefer to be alone. Shy people don't exactly want to be alone, but can be scared to interact with their peers. It was common to be both shy and introverted (like yours truly).
6. We're weird.
GiphyThis one is just not nice. We're not weird. We're still human beings just like everyone else. Sure, we may not be social butterflies, but that doesn't make us strange. Everyone is different, so stop judging.
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