It's no secret that I'm shy - I bang on about it enough on here that's for sure. I was thinking the other day about how being shy affects how I think on a daily basis and I thought this would be a fun post to put together - hopefully you other shy girls will be able to relate and it'll give all you amazingly confident ladies an insight into our heads (or maybe everyone has these thoughts, in which case let me know!)
1. Uh oh, there's a complete stranger making polite conversation with me. What do I say? How can I be friendly? How can I make sure I don't appear rude? OK DO ANYTHING APART FROM LAUGH NERVOUSLY. *Laughs nervously* Dammit, now they think I'm rude.
2. OK, make sure you contribute to this group conversation. Yes there's a lot of people, but surely you've got something interesting to chip in with? OK, how do I even get a word in edgeways when all these people are talking? *Sits silently for five minutes before finally plucking up the courage to contribute and accidentally interrupting someone in the process* Well that's me never contributing to a group conversation again.
3. Oooh there's a new person at work. What can I say to make myself appear friendly and interesting rather than rude and boring? OK they're about to walk past me, time to introduce myself. Or maybe I'll just wait for them to say hi first...
4. Someone just made a joke at me. I need to think of something funny to say back. Come on, THINK... Is it too late to make a comeback ten minutes later now I've finally thought of something I know for certain people will laugh at?
5. There's that really cool person I'd like to be friends with. I'm sure she'll gauge that just by the fact that I'm thinking it, no need to actually make an effort and risk looking like a fool right?
6. *Is asked to contribute something to a meeting at work* Uh oh, people are looking at me. *Turns pink* Now people are looking at me while I'm speaking. *Turns red* Why are people still looking at me even though I've finished? *Goes off the scale of red* I guess they're probably worried about my health bearing in mind the colour my face has gone...
7. I really need to make a hair/doctors/dentist appointment. That involves using the phone... I'll do it another day.
8. I can't wait to get home so I can live in a comfortable bubble where I'm not constantly worrying about what people think of me/what I can say next/whether I seem rude. Phew.
Does anyone else have these thoughts on a daily basis? Any I've missed out?
Amy x
Really loved the list Amy! I don't think that I'm shy when it comes to speaking up (although in certain situations I know I should just bite my tongue!) but I absolutely hate calling to make any appointment or to speak to anybody on the phone, why is that?!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day :)
Rosanna x
Rose's Rooftop
It's odd isn't it? The person on the other end can't see me but I still get nervous! xx
DeleteOooh yes, number 7 is so me and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to overcome that phone call anxiety. But at least it's comforting to know that I'm not alone in it! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're definitely not! I know quite a few people with it actually! xx
DeleteI don't if I am really shy, I know sometimes I can come across like shy even though I don't feel shy inside. Or maybe that was when I was younger - people most certainly thought I was shy, I have become more outgoing over the years. One thing I learned - it is ok to just don't say anything - and surprisingly it made me more easygoing! :O I think I just relaxed and it wasn't such a big pressure to say something. :)
ReplyDeleteand, yes, nr. 7 and 8. - definitely. ;) I have had similar to nr. 3 experience too. :D
And love your writing, so funny! :)
Madara
Lookforsmile.com
Thanks so much Madara :) I definitely think it's OK to say nothing and it's great that you've become more outgoing! xx
DeleteThis had me giggling away at my desk Amy - it's all so true! I'm not exactly shy, but I'm not super confident either. I guess I'm just awkward, especially in certain situations! The part about contributing to a group conversation was bang on, I've also got a terrible habit of staring at my ringing phone and saying 'I don't think I'll answer that just now, if they want me they can email me'...
ReplyDeleteSophie xxx
www.sopharsogood.com
Yes I do that too! 'If it's important they'll email' haha! I am so awkward I hate it haha. Glad you enjoyed the post :) xx
DeleteLoved this post lady - I was actually just thinking yesterday that I can be super awkward in situations when I meet people for the first time! My old boss thought I was really rude when she first met me but I was just super shy and felt so awful knowing that! Great post lady!
ReplyDeleteHayley xo
www.frockmeimfamous.com
Aw well you weren't awkward at all when I met you! I feel the exact same though! xx
Deletesuch a good post and so true! i am also very shy in person!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tasha, so many more people than I thought seem to be shy! xx
DeleteI have the same problems too, I feel too shy and get nervous when I talk to new people, I overthink what to say to them and sometimes I look like a fool.
ReplyDeleteYiota
PinkDaisyLoves
I'm always overthinking, you're definitely not alone lovely! xx
DeleteI feel you on pretty much all of these, Amy!! Using the phone is not one of my great loves, it makes me so bloody anxious even when I know exactly what I want to say (table for two at 7pm please) - argh!! Another thing similar to what you've listed here is seeing people you know on the street / walking past them.. I never know what to do, say hello, just smile, how long to chat to them for if they say hi! It always makes me so nervous when it really shouldn't 🙈🙈 Thanks for sharing this, it's super relatable!
ReplyDeleteAbbey 💓 www.abbeylouisarose.co.uk
YES - I never know whether to stop and talk or not! I would never have had you down as a shy girl as you seem so confident, but just shows you never know! xx
DeleteThis was really funny. I can definitely relate to some of these. Hope you have a lovely weekend.
ReplyDeleteGemma x
www.jacquardflower.uk
Thanks Gemma, hope you have a lovely weekend too! xx
DeleteThis was quite entertaining to read; I'm the shyest of shy so I could relate to pretty much every single point haha :)
ReplyDeletewww.lovefrommaira.co.uk
Aw I'm so shy so don't worry you're not the only one! xx
DeleteThis was fun to read. I can relate myself on #7. haha
ReplyDeleteNina's Style Blog
I'm glad you enjoyed it - it seems a lot of people can relate to 7! xx
DeleteI totally feel you on number 7! I'm the worst on the phon especially when it comes to booking appointments or tables or anything x
ReplyDeleteIt's funny isn't it - I don't know why! xx
DeleteWow this is so relatable especially 6 and 7... I hate talking in meetings!! This really made me chuckle xxxxxx
ReplyDeletelucylovesbeautyxo.com
I just hate being the centre of attention haha! xx
DeleteI'm so with you on this! I can speak to anyone one-on-one but put me in front of a group of people, and I turn to mush! Being shy is not a bad thing though! It means I'm a great listener and very observant!
ReplyDeleteSian x
http://theenglisheverygirl.blogspot.co.uk/
Yeah it's definitely not a bad thing - I'm fine one on one too! xx
DeleteIt's funny because I don't actually think of myself as a shy person, and yet I can relate to so many of these. I think people would consider me pretty confident and extroverted, but the difference is they can't see how much I'm overthinking and analysing ever social interaction in my head! Then I'll pick it apart later and convince myself I made a fool of myself. I do genuinely struggle with making phone calls.
ReplyDeleteYeah I think a lot of people can put up a good front but still have these feelings! xx
DeleteThis was a fun read because it's totally relatable at times! I don't consider myself that shy but I dread having to make a phone call in order to make an appointment. Like, why can't I just do this online? It would be so much easier!
ReplyDeleteSingle Vegas Girl
http://singlevegasgirl.blogspot.com
Yes I would love to be able to make appointments online - why is the world so behind? haha! x
Deletewhat a nice post :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter :)
http://itsmetijana.blogspot.rs/
Thank you, happy Easter, hope you have a lovely one xx
DeleteCan totally relate to number two. I wait cos I want to be polite and then interrupt someone at completely the wrong time! It's so annoying!!! I've found getting out my comfort zone and attending blog events has really helped though.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter!
Jaz xoxo
http://www.thelifeofasocialbutterfly.co.uk
Yes exactly! Trying to be polite but I end up being rude! xx
DeleteI'm definitely a shy person and can totally relate to this list :)
ReplyDeletewww.fashionradi.com
Aw so glad so many people can relate! xx
Deleteyes! thi so much! I often don't even find people's jokes funny (especially like colleagues) and they I don't know what to say and have to pretend to like it because you know, i'm super awkward!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I can't pretend to find things funny that I don't so it can be mega awkward! xx
DeleteHaha loved this post, it was so funny and honest! I wouldn't say I'm shy but i definitely feel awkward and freeze up when a stranger talks to me off guard! And also there's nothing worse than trying to think of a joke and just coming up blank!
ReplyDeleteLots of love Izzy | http://www.adoseofchatter.com
Haha it's such a British thing to do isn't it! xx
DeleteYes! I can relate to everything haha :)
ReplyDeleteNati xx
www.simplyartdicted.com
Ah there are so many more shy people than I thought! xx
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