27/05/2026
Social anxiety is often misunderstood.
People think it’s simply shyness or lacking confidence.
But many people with social anxiety are not incapable of socializing at all.
In fact, some appear outgoing, capable, and highly functioning.
What makes social anxiety exhausting is this:
You become intensely aware of yourself.
You replay your words.
Monitor your behavior.
Question how you came across.
And slowly, social interactions become less about connection… and more about self-surveillance.
You become both the performer and the audience.
So you avoid, overprepare, people-please, or rehearse conversations, not because you’re weak or broken, but because your nervous system is trying to protect you.
But healing does not come from eliminating fear completely.
It comes from learning to be present with people without constantly monitoring yourself.
Confidence is not the absence of fear.
It is allowing yourself to show up even when fear is present.
If this resonates, you are not alone. 🤍
New podcast episode is up.
Link in Bio.
thriveonthego therapywithchloe
