Hello, child. I am certain my answer will be helpful to you.
I used to be just like you, but I'm completely different now. Don't worry. Take your time to adjust, and we can enter a good state.
My advice to you is this:
First, you need to understand your personality correctly.
Don't deny yourself. Your introversion or extroversion is innate, and there is no good or bad in it. Extroverts have the advantage of being extroverted, and introverts have the benefits of being introverted.
I know that society favors extroverts, but there is no such thing as a good or bad personality. We simply need to find our strengths and bring them to the fore.
You don't have to pretend to be lively and cheerful; just be yourself. Only when your words and actions are consistent can your body and mind be in harmony. Extroverts recharge themselves through socializing, while introverts deplete their energy when socializing. We need to recharge ourselves through solitude. Therefore, you need to replenish what you consume, so as to achieve a balanced state.
When it comes to socializing, it's crucial to engage in selective socializing while avoiding the "spotlight effect."
Engage in selective socializing.
Everyone needs social interaction. It gives us a sense of belonging and security. But we need to be selective about who we socialize with. Avoid people who constantly criticize and discourage you. Instead, socialize with people who always encourage and support you. Experience care and support in your social interactions.
If socializing is stressful for you, adjust the frequency of socializing until it suits you. Don't force yourself. Learn to take care of your own feelings.
Avoid the "spotlight effect."
The "spotlight effect" is a term used in psychology to describe the tendency to magnify one's problems. Let's say you go to a party confidently, dressed neatly, and looking refreshed. The breeze has messed up your hair, but you're not going to let that stop you.
You're about to open the door when you catch sight of your reflection in the mirror. You look untidy and your hair is a mess. All eyes are on you and you hear whispers about your "unlucky appearance."
You are nervous, but you're not. This is what psychology calls the spotlight effect.
The spotlight shines brighter in our minds than in reality. This means that we overestimate the significance of our actions, appearance, and emotions in the eyes of others.
You're nervous when talking to others because of the "spotlight effect." You think other people pay special attention to your every move. When talking to others, you feel a spotlight shining on your head, so you're nervous.
The truth is that you don't matter that much, and other people don't pay that much attention to you. So relax, be yourself, and be true to your own state.
Know this: the more you can be true to yourself, the more you can gain ease and comfort. People who like you will like you, accept you, and support you no matter what you are like. People who don't like you may still reject you and not support you no matter how you behave. You can't win everyone's approval, but you can be the person you like in yourself. The closer you get to your true self, the more you will like yourself.
We must take others' comments in perspective.
We are all different, and each of us has our own set of evaluation criteria.
We like, approve of, and support others who meet our evaluation standards. We dislike, reject, and doubt those who do not.
It's simple: meet the other person's evaluation standards and you'll be approved. Don't meet them and you'll be disapproved.
It is not important whether the other person recognizes you or not, but whether you match his evaluation criteria. You cannot control the thoughts and actions of others. You cannot always meet other people's evaluation criteria, nor can you meet everyone's evaluation criteria.
Life is hard for everyone. Everyone has different wants, and everyone is in a different position. Don't practice yourself according to other people's standards or force others to conform to your own standards. Don't crave understanding and approval from others in everything you do.
We don't have to sacrifice ourselves to gain the approval of others. We don't have to use this approach to gain interpersonal relationships. It doesn't matter if you are liked or disliked. There will always be people who like you and people who dislike you. The important thing is whether you can accept this self that is liked and disliked at the same time.
You don't live to satisfy other people's expectations. If you keep seeking approval from others and caring about what they think, you will end up living other people's lives. If you hope too much to be recognized by others, you will live your life according to other people's expectations and lose your true self. This will bring you trouble because it is not the life you really want.
Take back control of your life and judge yourself. Treat yourself as you would anyone else and be comprehensive, objective, and truthful in your assessment. You will gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your needs. Other people's opinions will matter less.
You will find that your interpersonal relationships are better when you care less about what others think and live your true self. You will no longer be haunted by those "bad relationships" that you have traded for by pleasing others and suppressing your own needs.
Transform your emotions in a timely manner.
You have a lot of emotions and conflicts inside. Don't suppress them. Channel and transform them in time. Use the following methods:
1. Socialize with the right friends and talk about your worries and confusion. Make sure they can give you support and encouragement, and that you feel comfortable with them.
2. Get moving! Exercise and do those sports you like. Relax your body and mind through exercise.
3. Write therapy. Write all your inner feelings and thoughts on paper. Don't worry about whether your handwriting is clear and neat or if it makes sense. Just go ahead and express your feelings.
4. Punch a pillow or a sandbag to release your anger by hitting a soft object.
5. Use the empty chair technique to release emotions. Place an empty chair in a room and assume that the person you want to confide in is sitting in it. Then, express yourself to the chair—it's okay to be angry or abusive.
You've got this.
Comments
I can relate to feeling lonely and having those negative thoughts when trying to socialize. It's tough when you're putting effort into connecting with people, and it doesn't seem to go as planned. I've learned that sometimes it's not about being the most interesting person in the room but finding the right people who appreciate you for who you are.
Changing your reserved nature is a big challenge, and it's okay to feel uncertain. I think it's important to remember that not every conversation will be perfect or even engaging, and that's alright. Sometimes we just need to give ourselves more grace and understand that everyone has their own battles they're fighting.
It sounds like you're really hard on yourself when you don't feel like you fit in. But maybe the key isn't to change who you are but to find a group where you feel accepted just as you are. It might help to join clubs or groups that align with your interests; there, you might meet people who value the same things you do.
I admire your courage for reaching out and trying to connect with others despite feeling vulnerable. It's not easy to put yourself out there, especially when you're met with indifference. Just know that some people may take time to warm up to you, and that doesn't mean you're unlikable. Keep being true to yourself, and the right people will eventually come along.
Feeling envious of others' ease in social situations is natural, but try to focus on your unique qualities that make you special. Everyone has their own pace when it comes to friendships. Perhaps sharing how you feel with someone you trust could also help bridge that gap and lead to more genuine connections.