Trending hashtags come and go, and recently the hashtag #GrowingupShy has quickly become popular. Personally, I love this hashtag and I'm actually surprised by that. I've always said that I'm not shy; I'm just introverted, but these hashtags and resulting articles have shown that I am, in fact, a person who can relate to the shy condition. Here are 12 things that anyone who experienced #growingupshy knows about.
1. Constantly afraid of receiving negative reactions to what you say or do.
Actually, this fear is paralyzing and has held me back from doing so many things. Thankfully, I've pushed myself pretty far out of my comfort zone enough times and have found friends I trust.
2. Saying 'hi' to your crush is unthinkable, but you've already planned your entire life around them.
When your friends tell you to just go up and talk to someone and you're like, "How?!"
3. People constantly telling you to speak louder.
When I was younger I was nervous to speak at full volume -- and still am sometimes -- because I was afraid I'd say something wrong. This may actually cross into social anxiety now that I think of it, but small talk is not a strength of anyone who grew up shy. Instead of shouting at someone who is clearly shy and soft-spoken, try to be more understanding.
4. You rehearse phone calls.
This crosses into introvert territory as well, which is something that I also am. Phone calls and any unexpected social interaction is nerve-wracking. I've gotten a lot better over the years, but shy people tend to prefer writing over talking. Our thoughts flow better on paper and computer than through spoken word.
5. Not correcting somebody when they get something wrong.
Like your name or a food order. I once let someone think my name was Skye for an entire summer before politely reminding her of my name.
6. When reading aloud in class, you would count how many people were in front of you so you could rehearse your part.
OK, so I can speak in public, but I have to be 100 percent sure that I am 100 percent ready.
7. When you embarrass yourself and then spend the rest of your life thinking about it.
Seriously, I'm still mortified about an embarrassing moment from elementary school.
8. You just wanted to be alone and everyone thought something was wrong with you.
I liked Cody because we were basically the same person. I may not be as shy now, but I still like having my alone time. It's necessary in order to recharge.
9. 99.9999 percent of the time you used your phone to avoid people.
When I don't want to talk, I spend the majority of my time on the phone and with my headphones in. Panic ensues when people ignore social cues and still talk to me.
10. The breakdown that occurs when you say something and nobody answers.
That feeling when you finally pluck up the courage to send that email, text, post, or message and nobody says anything, is probably the equivalent of dying inside. Questions such as, "Did they see it? Do they hate me? Are they still alive? Are they ignoring me?" cross my mind about three minutes after pressing send.
11. Knowing the answer to a question but letting someone take the glory.
The amount of times I know the correct answer, finally pluck up the courage to answer aloud and then get it wrong is unreal.
12. The look people give you when they realize you can talk might be a little offensive
So I may be a bit shy, but when I'm comfortable enough with you and trust you not to judge me negatively, all bets are off. In fact, you'll probably have trouble getting a word in edge wise.
