I’m Shy: When Performers Are Shy
There are two versions of me—“out-going me” and “shy me.” I switch back and forth.
I force myself to be out-going because I like people, but actually I am quite shy.
Shyness means a feeling of fear or embarrassment. It can also be described as a feeling of apprehension, lack of comfort, or awkwardness experienced when a person is in proximity to, approaching, or being approached by other people, especially in new situations or with unfamiliar people.
My mom told me that I am shy because I am self-centered and think too much about what people think of me. That may be correct. I don’t know; I just get embarrassed.
There are many celebrities and famous people that are notorious for their shyness but overcome it in order to do their jobs. That doesn’t mean that they are not still shy. They just do what they have to do. These celebrities include: Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bob Dylan, Brad Pitt, and Elvis Presley.
I am also introverted.
Some introverts like myself are also shy but introversion is not shyness. Intorverts are people whose energy gets drained by being around other people because they live in the inner world of their mind. They need time to “recharge” after being at a party or even may avoid social situations at times.
Introverts like to be with their own thoughts. They enjoy thinking, exploring their thoughts and feelings. Because introverts are so introspect, they enjoy conversations about ideas and concepts rather than trivial matters or small talk.
About 25% of people are introverts. Some famous introverts include: Audrey Hepburn, Gwyneth Paltrow, Harrison Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, and David Letterman.
At times, I am reclusive but most of the time I choose not to be because I love people.
Reclusiveness means a disposition to prefer isolation or seclusion. A recluse is a person who lives in voluntary seclusion from the public and society, often close to nature.
These are notoriously reclusive celebrities . They want to be left alone: J.D. Salinger, Howard Hughes, Greta Garbo, Harper Lee, Emily Dickenson, Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd), Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes), and Dave Chappelle.
Shyness is often misinterpreted and misunderstood by others. Behavioral traits in social situations such as smiling, easily producing suitable conversational topics, assuming a relaxed posture and making good eye contact, which come spontaneously for the average person, may not be second nature for a shy person. This is why shy people are often perceived as cold, distant, arrogant, or aloof.
I like people. I like to make people laugh and smile. I like to perform. I still feel my shyness all the time though. And I have to self-talk myself to do things.
Teacher. As a teacher, I have to get up and talk to students. I also have to make presentations to my peers and speak up in meetings. Over time, it has become easier for me. In school, I used to be really, really, really scared to raise my hand and talk. In college, I started forcing myself to do it anyway.
Editor-in-Chief. As the editor in chief of a magazine, I conduct meetings and communicate with my staff quite often. I prepare for a long time before a meeting and enjoy doing it. I don’t feel shy when I am speaking about something I enjoy or feel passionately about. I am in the moment and out of my head. I am thinking about the magazine so I am lost in that world and my shyness goes away.
Magazine owner. I get approached on the street quite often about the magazine. I am really happy to answer questions and tell them about the magazine. I do feel embarrassed though. Sometimes I fear that I come across wrongly, because of my shyness.
Writer. As a writer, I expose my feelings about things. Many times, I am writing from a point of view. That means I am not necessarily writing about my own true feelings. I take on views and write from that view.
Internet personality. Everybody lives on the internet nowadays. We post things about our lives constantly on Facebook, Twitter, blogs like BoHo Waco etc. We might be shy in real life but it is easier to be boisterous on the Internet.
Performer. The hardest hurdle that I have ever had to overcome with my shyness is being a performer. Conducting a meeting is different. You are talking about business and you are listening to your audience. You are communicating with them. Performing a poem or reading a story is about using your voice inflections and facial expressions etc to entertain. It was hard at first, but I enjoy reading my poetry in public now. That is through practicing. I still am working on taking the step to memorizing my poetry in order to face the audience and look them in the eye. I really don’t do that. I look down at my paper.
This post is for all the people out there that battle shyness every day. I just want to let you know from a performing poet and magazine owner—that you can still be successful!
source: information wikipedia
)
