Social Anxiety - New Beliefs Road Block

Believing you can overcome social anxiety is a huge step. I can change my thoughts and expectations, but when it comes to changing my beliefs, I hit a road block and I feel like a failure.

I'm not a failure, I just haven't succeeded yet. So what else can I do? Well, my beliefs need to be in my face, written down, as a constant reminder so they don't get trampled on by my negative thoughts.

I found an index card and I will write my new thoughts and expectations down. I am going to carry it with me, and read it when my negative thoughts start to interfere.

Some examples are:

• Most people will accept it if my hands shake when writing a check
• Most people will accept it if I stutter
• Most people will accept it if I blush
• I can cope with disapproval, it is not that bad.

I have had several people make remarks about my hands shaking over the years. My first reaction was panic and embarrassment. So, what I also plan to do is come up with some clever comebacks to such statements. Not to be mean, just as another way of turning my thoughts and feelings around.

I'm not very good at comebacks, so that one will take me awhile. An example would be if someone remarked about my stuttering, I could just say, "My brain was engaged before my mouth." Or something like that.

We should all add some coping statements, and comebacks, to help each other along the way.

Until next time...