Embracing vulnerability: My journey through social anxiety

might feel like tiptoeing through a minefield of triggers and what-ifs, where every social encounter may even feel like a battleground of nerves and anticipation. Yet, we can learn to live the way we want to even with this weight. We can learn to be kinder to ourselves, even when we are dealing with this intense fear that makes us feel sick every time we think we are being seen or heard when we can feel the attention on us.

I was a person who would look at the ground when walking, not because I did not like people or engaging with them but it was the fear of eye contact, the fear that if I would ever look up – they would see me. See me the way I see myself, the fear that they will judge me for just existing cause all I ever felt was that I was embarrassing – the way I appear, speak, walk, or even breathe. From never daring to make eye contact, having food in front of people, or even fainting on a stage because of my fright to writing this blog and putting myself out there in the world – it was a long journey and is still going on. Even now, the doubts in my mind about what I have already posted or the knots in my stomach every time I am not in the background are still there but the intensity has decreased, and the way I have started breathing and calming myself down feels like magic. It is like I can finally go after what I want and people; they still exist but I do too and I feel okay about that fact. Self-love is not the only way that you can do this but I hope you can see how wonderful you all are and worth everything that the world has to offer. I really hope you can finally live the way you want to.

So, why I am sharing this with you? Because I want you to know that you are not alone in your struggles.

In this blog, I will be sharing a lot of tips from my personal experience and coursework that may help in these situations and give you that peace or freedom from the chaos of living inside your head when all you want to do is actually live.

Join us in trying to treat yourself with the same compassion and kindness that you would give to a friend and recognizing that it is okay to not be “perfect.” That we can still take care of ourselves even when it is difficult, being there for ourselves when we need it the most.

PS: This is not me providing any sort of therapy. If you feel that you require assistance of any kind, please do not hesitate to contact us. We have contacts of trained professionals (in India) who are qualified and may be able to help you through it.

Hey there! This blog is a little different from the previous posts. Recently, I just realized what I actually wanted to write about. I started this blog a month ago with the intention of creating a space that could feel like home – for anyone and everyone; the intent is still the same. This post is about the fear of being seen or heard, something that a lot of us go through – navigating through social anxiety.

Social anxiety is often misunderstood and is more than just shyness or nervousness. Here, I am not just talking about it in a diagnosable situation but about the symptoms. The little voice in your head always telling you that everyone is judging you and you are going to mess up, always looking behind when you hear a group of people laughing, wanting to disappear whenever you are in public.

The rapid heartbeat, sweating, feeling dizzy or nauseous, uncontrollable shaking, words getting stuck in the back of your throat and uncomfortable feeling in your stomach – the anxiety we cannot seem to get rid of in social settings. The blog will still be about self–love but to deal with this feeling of anxiety. To overcome the fear of criticism, embarrassment, and excessive self-consciousness by loving yourself and accepting yourself the way you are with all your insecurities and doubts. It