How I Overcame Social Anxiety... | Russell Brand

I may be a performer, but I'm a introvert and find socialising quite hard. Here is how I deal with social situations...

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Produced by Jenny May Finn (Instagram: @jennymayfinn)

[lynby]

When a social occasion feels like a performance you know you have social anxiety !

[kristeny]

When he said “I’ve got nothing to prove” that clicked with me. My social anxiety makes me feel that I have to prove myself and immediately be accepted by people. But I don’t have to prove anything to anyone!

[daytonchris]

when i'm in a social situation and feeling anxious i tell myself "in a few hours, i'll be home watching youtube, and all of this will be over." lol

[shoshannahbrynjonessquare]

Totally - instead of trying to think of something clever or funny to say while the other person is still talking, you have to be attentive to what they are saying, so much so that you transcend the egoic self, move from a thinking state to a non-thinking state that enables pure empathy. Cool and inspiring stuff as always, Russell Brand! Thank you! Hello to everyone! Lots of love!

[inbasicterms-popculturevid]

In Basic Terms
“Anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but only empties today of its strength.”

—Charles Spurgeon

[Etigress]

As a child, I was ignored by my parents. My words and actions were brushed off and I wasn't given positive attention. I was unable to interact with others because I thought whatever I did or said didn't matter. I still feel that way sometimes but I'm trying to be more sociable.

[piffwatts]

Much love. This man is an underrated spokesperson for human consciousness

[houria]

I spent my life faking to be an extrovert, and thinking back, I was looking for a sense of belonging, and for validation and acceptance.
I have recently found out that I am a true introvert, and I feel so in my skin being with the comfort of my own company. I am now also able to say NO to what would likely consume my spiritual energy. May be, like you said, I am a stable person now and I live with harmony with my being, or maybe I am fed up with superficialities and social hypocrisies.

[wynandbritz]

"I once worked with a guy for three years and never learned his name. Best friend I ever had. We still never talk sometimes." - Ron Swanson.

[ismahenelarbi]

Focusing on the other person is actually a great advice. I noticed my interactions improved significantly once I started meditating. I hope I'll remember this for my next interactions.

[meredithbowling]

Wow, this is the first time I’ve heard someone other than my mother talk about shyness in this way. She says that shyness is a form of pride because you’re still focused on yourself. I’ve noticed that my anxiety gets worse when I’m focused on myself, but when I’m looking out for others and caring about their needs and wants I don’t notice as much anxiety. Philippians 2:4 says to “look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” And the previous verse says “let each esteem other better than themselves”

[bradleybrannings]

I used to be a shy kid and then I grew up to have severe social anxiety

[rachelkingsley]

I was so happy when lockdown was announced! Soooo happy! It’s an introvert’s dream. All the rush and noise and business was just cancelled!
It’s given more outgoing types the chance to be still and reflect which has meant in general a deepening of the quality of relationships in our households.
Amazing! And good!
I think it was about time our over- extrovert world was reined in and we intros had a chance to share the benefits of being more introspective and quiet.

[andym]

Myself and my buddy have social anxiety. We nearly met up for lunch 4 years ago.

[ninnithecat]

Good advice on being open and listen to others. I guess the anxiety can also come from that there is a lot of fakeness out there, and empaths get shaky when their reality meets so many other people's illusions.. If I had to go to an event and I knew that there would be only highly deep and spiritual people there, I'd look forward to it. I'd go every day :)

[NatalieHolmes]

I don’t feel like much of a socially anxious person but then I look back at my songwriting and feel like it’s trying to tell me something... The comparison of feeling ‘bumpy’ verses feeling ‘bouncy’, feeling like your thoughts are a hurricane of dandelion seeds rather than a gentle dance. I spend so much time wondering how to be the best addition to a social situation and so often forget to simply surrender myself to it and absorb what others have to give. Thanks for your way with words Russel!

[mdj]

I have extreme social anxiety and at 38 it continues to ruin me and my life. So broken by it.

[empoweringsmsp]

I’m a single child (that grew up with a single parent.) And boy, let me tell looking back I’m happy that I was. It has helped me learn how to socialize with just about any age group. We moved around about every 2 years, that helped me to learn how to make new friendships. I, as well prefer a FEW good friends, over a bunch of so called friends. Quality over quantity. I can be an extrovert when in a large group of people. However I’ll need my downtime to be alone and decompress.

[timmurphy]

Feeling of inadequacy and low self esteem are at the core of my social anxiety

[amoodyfrog]

I can listen to you for hours, every time I watch your videos, I learn a new way of thinking, feeling, seeing what's around me... it's refreshing. I have so much to learn.