How to be a Confident Shy Person : Why You Shouldn't Bother about Your Shyness

My post on how I overcame the shyness has been one of the most-read posts on my blog.

As a matter of fact, it has been re-pinned on Pinterest more than 1,000 times! That’s a viral pin.

That means a lot of people can relate to shyness and its many effects.

I poured out my mind in that article and sometimes I feel like there’s nothing more to write on the subject.

But life is all about learning, unlearning and relearning.

These days, I ask myself, when is shyness really a problem?

Because we all can’t be outspoken, gregarious, or be the life of the party.

When should we really be bothered about our shyness?

You should be bothered about your shyness when it limits your potentials or prevents you from maximizing your potentials and your gifts.

You know what?

Some celebrities are shy in real life, even Beyoncé!

Can you believe that?

In an interview with Parade Magazine in 2006, Beyoncé admitted to being shy and vulnerable in real life.

She says who she is onstage is her alter ego, Sasha.

“I’m not like her in real life at all,” she said.
“I’m not flirtatious and super-confident and fearless like her. What I feel onstage I don’t feel anywhere else. It’s an out-of-body experience. I created my stage persona to protect myself so that when I go home I don’t have to think about what it is I do. Sasha isn’t me. The people around me know who I really am.”

Who could have thought that the fearless queen had another side to her different from what she’s known for?

My kid sister asked me some weeks ago if it’s possible to have a passion for a career you know you don’t have the required confidence for.

For instance, you desire to be a journalist, but you are an introvert who doesn’t like socializing with people.

I was halfway through this article, so I explained to her that passion and potential are the most important factors.

As long as those two are in place, confidence is something that can be worked on. As a matter of fact, courage is simply DOING IT AFRAID.

Courage isn’t waiting until you feel bold, it’s doing it despite your fears and inadequacies until you become comfortable with doing it.
Confidence can be learnt. It is learnt by DOING, not waiting or hoping.

I’m a very private person, and I hate to be the object of attention. But, how will people read my works if I don’t put myself out there?

I love teaching, so when I was in nursing school, I really wanted to join the Bible study unit but I hesitated because the mere thought of having many pairs of eyes on me scared the sh*t out of me.

But I really desired to teach and I always imagined myself doing it, so I eventually joined the Bible study group.

I was shy and lacked confidence but I did it anyway. I did it afraid.

Ten years later, I’m still doing the same thing.

So, the passion and potential are constant.

Why should you be bothered about your shyness?

If it limits your potentials or stops you from doing what you love.

It doesn’t matter if you’re shyest person on the planet.

As long as you’re maximizing your potentials and using your gifts and abilities, then shyness isn’t a problem for you.

I was talking with a friend two weeks ago. She told me she read my timidity post when I first wrote it two years ago, and that she had to read it again recently.

She said she was shy but she works in a college where she has to address college students in groups and deliver presentations.

I told her as long she’s doing what she’s supposed to and maximizing her potentials, then shyness isn’t a problem.
We can’t all be the life of the party.

I hope you get my point.

Enjoy being yourself as long as you’re utilizing and maximizing your potentials.

You can be a confident shy person.