Have you ever been in a very common place, such as the supermarket or a bus stop, and felt that others around you are staring or even looking down on you? Think now why you go to the supermarket. Automatically, you will realize that the chances of someone being there to observe you are slim to none. Chances are, he’ll catch your eye by mistake, or not even that and it’s just your idea.

How is this explained?

Such feelings are described by experts as “social anxiety,” a mental health condition in which a person feels anxious in social situations, often to the point of inactivity, resulting in not living meaningfully. Unlike introversion, people with social anxiety want to socialize, but fear prevents them from doing so.

However, no one can completely avoid the outside world, which is why it is best to learn how to navigate among it without fear and with great enthusiasm. Some simple ways are:

Focus on you

Working on yourself is a big part of the process of dealing with social anxiety. Shifting your focus inward—on your thoughts, feelings, and reactions—takes a lot of practice, but it will pay off. It’s also important to remind yourself that it doesn’t really matter what other people think of you and that you should focus on what brings you joy.

Surround yourself with friends with whom you feel safe

People who experience social anxiety sometimes experience the presence of others as emotionally or mentally very draining. That’s why it might be better for them to create a small circle of people they can rely on and trust. People who are understanding, who respect your boundaries and will leave you space to stay away from social situations when you feel that’s what you need.

Create an outlet

Developing an exit strategy is a key tool for people with social anxiety. This, in practice, can mean planning your social outings in open spaces, from which you can easily “escape” if you feel the need. Or staying less in a place or event. Knowing you have a way out will give you an even greater sense of security, so you don’t have to feel guilty about it.

Seek social support

You can use the support of a few friends in more formal social situations, such as conferences and business trips. Such people are usually “social butterflies”, so it is useful to let them lead the conversations and handle the interactions in a group of people.

Finally, it is important to remember that sociability is not a specific mold into which you must fit, but takes the form that each person gives it, depending on their needs. There is no such thing as “normal” or not. In any case, social anxiety is a real phenomenon and can, at times, take on unpredictable dimensions. Work with a therapist if you think it will help, and put socializing and interacting with other people into your life as much as it makes you feel good.