“It’s just a cashier. You just have to go up there have them ring you up, pay for your purchase and leave. It’s really that simple. So why do I feel like I’d rather die than do that?” Ah, social anxiety. The impending feeling of doom and nervousness and fear when it comes to any kind of social interaction whether that’s speaking up in class or even just going to a public social setting on your own.
30 day beat your social anxiety challenge
Here is a special 30-day challenge I’ve made myself to help you battle your social anxiety and get rid of it once and for all! All of these are meant to be done ALONE so don’t cheat and take a friend along with you unless specified!
Day 1: Go for a walk alone (somewhere familiar)
Day 2: Go for a long walk alone (somewhere familiar)
Day 3: Wear something you wouldn’t normally wear
Day 4: Go outside without dressing up (minimal/no makeup or your “good” clothes)
Day 5: Comment on someone’s Instagram/social media post with a compliment
Day 6: Do the groceries
Day 7: Arrive somewhere a few minutes late than early
Day 8: Go to your favourite cafe and order a drink you don’t usually have
Day 9: Go to your favourite restaurant and eat in rather than take out
Day 10: Go to a park that you haven’t been to before
Day 11: Take a bus to somewhere you haven’t been to before
Day 12: Go to your favourite cafe and decide what to order on the spot (don’t decide before)
Day 13: Go to a shop you have never been to before and buy something nice
Day 14: Go for a walk somewhere you’ve never been before
Day 15: Go to your favourite restaurant and order something you normally wouldn’t
Day 16: Take the bus and talk engage in small talk with someone on the bus
Day 17: Go to the park and have a short conversation with someone there
Day 18: Ask someone for directions on the street
Day 19: Go to a cosmetic store and let one of the workers help you check out items
Day 20: Go shopping for clothes by yourself
Day 21: Dress extravagantly for a walk through the streets
Day 22: Volunteer somewhere and interact with people there
Day 23: Go to an event where you don’t know many people
Day 24: Text an acquaintance for a chat
Day 25: Go to the bathroom in public alone
Day 26: Call your friend instead of texting them
Day 27: Invite someone you’re not that close to out for lunch/dinner
Day 28: Go to the park and try to make conversation with 3 different people
Day 29: Take the bus and try to make friends with someone else on the bus
Day 30: Invite someone you’re not that close to, to hang out at your house
Another technique you can use to help you overcome your social anxiety is the alter ego method. You can read more about it in our article about 3 easy steps to transform into the person you want to be!
The takeaway
The hardest part is to push yourself. You can absolutely overcome your social anxiety, it’s just a matter of self-discipline and exposing yourself to enough situations to allow you to stop feeling anxious. With each interaction you have, just know that the next one will feel way easier. And by the end of the month, you’ll be surprised by how you don’t even think twice next time you happen to converse with a stranger.
A final note & extra help
While some people can work through their social anxiety on their own, other people they might need some extra professional help. If you’re struggling with your social anxiety and the 30-day challenge doesn’t seem to help you, you can consider getting professional help with a licenced therapist who specializes in social anxiety.
If you’d rather do something more privately and can’t get therapy right now for whatever reason, you can consider Sean Cooper’s Shyness and Social Anxiety System.
It is a step-by-step audio system anybody can use to overcome their social anxiety. The practical and concrete directions in this program tell you exactly what to do and when to do it. Unlike most programs out there that just ramble on and on about the difficulties of dealing with social anxiety, this programme gives simple and direct instructions on HOW to actually overcome your anxiety.
Want to know more about the Shyness and Social Anxiety System? Click here to find out more!
