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Feeling confident around girls is something many guys struggle with, but it doesn’t mean you are destined to a lifetime of loneliness. Being shy creates a reluctance to engage socially for fear of becoming embarrassed. Overcoming shyness is about putting your focus and energy outward during a conversation with a girl. If you work to control your feelings of shyness, and then take steps to build your confidence, you can be the life of the party. [1] X Research source
Steps
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Understand what it means to be shy. Characteristics of being shy can be manifested in different ways under different circumstances for each individual. Knowing what situations cause your feelings of shyness can help you address the symptoms of shyness when they occur: [2] X Research source
- Being hesitant to speak up in social situations
- Mumbling or talking softly
- Avoiding social gatherings
- Being overly talkative due to nervousness.
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Recognize what situations make you feel shy. Understanding that almost everyone feels shy at some point can help you overcome your own feelings of shyness. It is natural to be nervous under uncertain circumstances. When you can mentally prepare for a situation it is less likely to make you nervous and shy because you know what to expect. Plan ahead and you’ll be ready to take on challenges as they are no longer unknowns. [3] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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Change your internal monologue. If you are constantly saying negative things about yourself in your head, then you will have an extremely hard time ever feeling confident. Even though it isn’t true, telling yourself phrases like “I’m just socially awkward” or “Nobody will ever like me, I’m too weird” will make you believe you are not worthy of attention from a girl. Instead create a mantra that builds you up: [4] X Research source
- “I’m awesome!”
- “I like talking to everyone!”
- “I am going to meet new people today.”
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Avoid over-analyzing what people are saying. Many times shyness is a result of perceived perceptions [5] X Research source . People think that others see them a certain way and make that their reality, when in fact, no one is having the thoughts you believe they are. Take people for their word and don’t worry about what someone might be thinking.
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Focus your attention on the people you’re talking to. Instead of centering the conversation around you, talk to and about other people. Avoid starting sentences with “I” and talk about the other person’s interests instead. If you’re not thinking about yourself, it is less likely you will find yourself feeling shy! [6] X Research source
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Have a good time! When you are happy and enjoying yourself it is much less likely that you will feel shy. Let yourself have fun and don’t be afraid to relax.
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Dress to impress. It is important that you feel good about your clothing and style to present yourself in the best light. It doesn’t matter what you wear as long as it feels good to you. There is no one style that says “I’m confident,” but if you believe that you wear it well, you will! [7] X Expert Source Joshua Pompey
Dating Coach Expert Interview. 27 November 2019. -
Educate yourself on topics you’re interested in. Being able to discuss a topic in detail will give you the confidence to begin a conversation with many different people. Learn more than just the headlines of a news story and you can discuss the details with several groups of individuals. [8] X Research source
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Make eye contact when speaking to someone. Communication is about so much more than words. Sometimes what we say is less important than how we say it. Make sure that you are letting the people you talk to know you care about them by connecting with them visually throughout your conversation. [9] X Research source
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Set easy goals for yourself and complete them. Start off by making a point to say “Hi” to a girl you want to talk to. Open the door for future conversations by taking small steps. Don’t expect to be the head cheerleader’s best friend if you’ve never talked to her before. You need to build up confidence by introducing yourself to lots of people to get comfortable talking to lots of girls. [10] X Expert Source Joshua Pompey
Dating Coach Expert Interview. 27 November 2019. -
Practice talking in the mirror. Watch your facial expressions and think about what responses you would have in a particular conversation. Knowing what you might say can help you prepare for a great conversation. Just a simple smile at yourself each day can do wonders for your self esteem!EXPERT TIPDating CoachJohn Keegan is a Dating Coach and motivational speaker based in New York City. With over 10 years of professional experience, he runs The Awakened Lifestyle, where he uses his expertise in dating, attraction, and social dynamics to help people find love. He teaches and holds dating workshops internationally, from Los Angeles to London and from Rio de Janeiro to Prague. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Humans of New York, and Men's Health.
Confidence makes you more desirable. You'll be less likely to find someone who truly appreciates you if you undervalue yourself. To set yourself up for a healthier partnership, focus on building a positive self-image and be kind to yourself. People are attracted to those who have self-respect and know their worth.
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Be honest about your shyness. When you introduce yourself to a girl, let her know that you are trying to overcome being shy. Many girls find guys who are shy extremely attractive. Let your shyness be a way in and not something that keeps you out [11] X Research source . Try one of these opening lines:
- "There's so many people here, it's hard to find someone to talk to because I'm kinda shy."
- "Can I sit with you, I'm shy and just need a quiet place to relax."
- "I'm terrible at meeting new people, can we pretend we know each other so it isn't so awkward?"
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Make a joke about being shy. When you are having a conversation use the fact that you are shy as a way to poke fun at yourself.
- "Being shy always makes me feel small, do I look little to you?
- "I would tell you a joke, but I'm too shy and always mess up the punch lines"
- "If I weren't shy it would be a lot easier to find out what you like"
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Bring a friend to be your wingman. Sometimes having a friend by your side can make it much easier to approach a girl. Ask a friend you trust to help introduce you to new people and start conversations.
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Live in the moment. Don't worry about what might happen in the future of your conversation; focus on the here and now. It is easier for the conversation to flow if you are concentrating on the current topic and not planning the future. [12] X Research source
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhy am I shy to talk to a girl?Joshua Pompey is a Relationship Expert and Founder of Next Evolution Matchmaking (NEM) based in New York City, NY. With over 15 years in the industry, Joshua helps his clients navigate online dating and has a success rate of over 99%. His work has been featured in CNBC, Good Morning America, Wired, and Refinery29 and he has been referred to as the best online dater in the world.Probably it is the lack of confidence. On one hand, you cannot act confident unless you feel confident, so try to do something that makes you feel more attractive, like getting new clothes or haircut. On the other hand, you can't be confident around women unless you have practice in that area, so try to practice conversations with random people, and once you get comfortable talking to strangers, the act of talking to women will slowly start to feel natural
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Tips
- Keep your thoughts positive and you’ll feel more confident.Thanks
- Focus all your attention on the person you are talking to, so you are not focusing on what you may or may not be doing as that is awkward.Thanks
- Take it slow and don’t try to change yourself overnight.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Do some pushups before heading out to a social setting—this is a great way to psyche yourself up. It also helps to wet your face with water and give yourself a pep talk in the mirror.
- Do your best to be a good sport whenever you spend time around a girl. Try not to act distant or like you don't care.
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References
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201106/how-overcome-shyness
- ↑ http://www.succeedsocially.com/shyness
- ↑ http://www.succeedsocially.com/shyness
- ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/happiness-in-world/201106/how-overcome-shyness
- ↑ http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11218-005-1365-y
- ↑ http://www.self-confidence.co.uk/articles/overcoming-shyness-and-social-phobia/
- ↑ Joshua Pompey. Dating Coach. Expert Interview. 27 November 2019.
- ↑ http://tinybuddha.com/blog/overcoming-shyness-how-to-feel-more-confident/
- ↑ http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/03/living/how-to-overcome-shyness-relate-real-simple/
- ↑ Joshua Pompey. Dating Coach. Expert Interview. 27 November 2019.
- ↑ http://www.lovepanky.com/men/understanding-women/do-girls-like-shy-guys
- ↑ http://shynesssocialanxiety.com/shy-around-girls/
About This Article
Article Summary
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Being confident around girls if you’re shy may feel like a big challenge, but by starting off with easy goals, it will get easier. Even just smiling, making eye contact, and saying "Hi" to a girl you want to talk to can give her the impression that you’re confident. Don’t be afraid to use your shyness to your advantage. Since many girls are attracted to shy guys, use the fact you’re shy as a way to introduce yourself. Try saying something like, “There are so many people here. It’s hard to find someone to talk to because I’m kind of shy.” As you grow your confidence, you could even poke fun at yourself over your shyness. For example, you could tell a girl, “If I weren’t so shy it would be a lot easier to get to know you better." To learn more about how to build up your self-confidence, keep reading!
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