Is It Bad to be A Shy Person? The Unbiased Truth

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“Is it bad to be a shy person?” This might not be the easiest question to answer for many of us.

Many shy individuals have felt the agony of having to perform in front of a class. They have also experienced fear whenever they had to speak in front of a large group of people.

After all, it takes some time before you finally feel safe opening up about yourself to new people. At work, you keep your head down and avoid joining conversations unless you have to.

Quiet individuals understand that their sociability isn’t what causes this behavior. It’s because they have a different way of thinking in life compared to their more outspoken peers.  

So, is it bad to be a shy person? Continue reading to find out. 

A group of people holding each other while sight seeing

Why Are Some People Shy?

Before we go further and answer the question “is it bad to be a shy person,” we must first understand the reasons behind the silent behavior.

Shyness is described as discomfort caused by certain social situations. This condition usually occurs in unfamiliar settings. This unpleasant feeling also occurs when meeting new folks.

Moreover, a destructive loop often perpetuates one’s quiet characteristic. It happens when someone enters a normal social situation. Then,  for whatever reason, that person experiences unnecessary fear. 

This situation usually ends up with the person choosing to avoid the entire scenario. Unfortunately, our minds can convert these negative feelings into resentment and blame. 

Those two feelings can actually reinforce the desire to avoid social situations. Aside from this, withdrawn people might often ask themselves, “is it bad to be a shy person?” Because of this, it adds an unnecessary burden to them.

Moreover, around 30% of the trait is caused by genetics. This is according to Thalia Eley, a researcher at Kings College in London. According to her, shy people’s brains work differently. In fact, about 15% of babies are born with an inclination toward quiet behavior.

Nevertheless, one’s quiet nature is mostly affected by one’s social climate. Many children experience feeling shy, which is usually a result of how they interact with their parents. 

Overprotective parents often end up with shy children. It is because they do not encourage their children to explore new things. Their reluctance to leave their parent’s side can be one of the signs of social anxiety in children. 

Additionally, many victims of bullying are at a higher risk of developing withdrawn characteristics too. Further, adults may also develop similar symptoms, often as a result of a stressful work environment. Public embarrassment can also contribute to the issues too.

So, whenever you ask yourself, “is it bad to be a shy person,” look at the facts above and remember that your environment mostly causes it.

Now we know the factors behind our quietness. Next, we will talk about the pros and cons of being a more reserved person.

Blonde woman with glasses - Is it bad to be a shy person?

Pros of Being Shy

Now, is it bad to be a shy person? After reading this section, you might feel that being a reserved person is not always that bad.

Shy people are the silent ones in a group. They are often reluctant to let the world know what is so amazing about themselves. There are some common benefits to being silent or quiet at work. They are better at learning, listening, and observing themselves and others. 

Aside from this, they also excel at being at ease with silence, taking a stand, and refraining from action. In fact, another study found that these people are more careful when it comes to words. This improves their trustworthiness, which is essential in a business. 

Moreover, the key to quiet people’s success is that they have always been forced to confront their fears. This might also give them an advantage in life. So, is it bad to be a shy person?

Our past experiences teach us how to progress in life. When people are forced to confront their fears, it helps shape their personalities. Their unpleasant experiences make them more courageous instead.

Shy people usually have very specific and clear thoughts and opinions. However, because of their more reserved nature, they often need more time to convey their ideas.

Aside from the advantages of being modest at the workplace, being the quiet one can also benefit you in your personal life. For example, one advantage is that you have plenty of time for your solitary hobbies.

Another advantage is you will never have to make a sacrifice for anyone else. No one will force you to do something you don’t really like. Shyness allows you to become more focused on any hobbies you have.

I understand that now you might answer the question, “is it bad to be a shy person” with “oh, it doesn’t seem to be that bad.” 

While this is true, there are still disadvantages to being the silent one.

Child playing with two toy cars - Is it bad to be a shy person?

Cons of Being Shy

This section will give you a clearer answer to the question, “Is it bad to be a shy person.”

Most shy people wish they had more self-esteem. It is because shyness is a sign that they are not satisfied with themselves. They often judge themselves by the expectations of others. They also spend far too much time inside their own minds.

Moreover, they are more prone to feeling lonely at times. After all, if they are too shy to make at least a couple of friends, they may begin to feel alienated from other people.

Another disadvantage is that you can also pass up on several chances to have some fun just because you are afraid of meeting new folks. You may not even be able to approach the girl or guy you’re interested in. So, is it bad to be a shy person?

Well, one research has shown that withdrawn children usually lack the necessary social skills. Moreover, those children also exhibit more reluctant attitudes. As a result, they are often ignored, rejected, and humiliated by their peers.  

Aside from this, teachers also view them as less intelligent than their outspoken classmates. Based on the same study, shy children are often treated more poorly by their peers. They communicate with their peers less because they tend to spend much of their time alone. 

However, they do this to avoid unpleasant circumstances. So, is it bad to be a shy person? Another 2020 study on teenage behavior found that the trait is associated with isolation and online bullying. 

Pathological internet use and internet gaming disorder are other two behavior associated with the issue. Moreover, the study has also shown that there is a gender difference in shyness. Boys often have a more challenging time dealing with shyness than girls.

So, the trait is inevitably linked to a variety of mental, social, and academic issues. Many problems often accompany it. With that said, let me ask you again, is it bad to be a shy person?

A previous study has demonstrated that shyness can trigger both immediate and long-term issues. It has been linked to various problems, including social anxiety, depression, and poor school adaptation.

There are some important factors to remember that can explain the relationship between shyness in children and their feelings of isolation and disappointment. Moreover, many of them who are shy have insecurities and poor self-esteem as well. 

They may not appreciate parties as much. They may also have a more difficult time finding a job that suits their preferences. Employers can also mistake a shy person as someone with little ambition, motivation, and ability to contribute.

It may not always be bad being a shy person. However, after reading the facts above, you may be more inclined to say “yes, it is bad” when asked, “is it bad to be a shy person.”


Should You Overcome Shyness or Accept Yourself That Way?

Is it bad to be a shy person? Knowing that the answer to this question is often “yes,” you should now find a way to overcome it.

Many who have never experienced extreme nervousness might have no idea how crippling it can be. Again, is it that bad to be a shy person? If it is a barrier to your success, it’s best to learn how to beat it and become more confident.

Shy people exhibit some of the symptoms of social anxiety disorder but to a lower extent. They like to connect with others but are afraid of being judged or attacked. So, they prefer to avoid social activities in the end. 

They also experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. This increases their chance of developing other issues such as depression or anxiety in the future. People are usually clueless if it is best to embrace their quiet nature or overcome it. This is a daunting struggle for many people to understand.

Most people will experience it at some stage in their lives. Shyness, at times, can also be so crippling for others. It might prevent them from engaging in social circumstances that are vital to their professional or personal interests.

Therefore, is it a mental health disorder that should be treated immediately? Is it bad to be a shy person?

Overcoming severe shyness can be critical to developing one’s positive self-esteem. It can be a major issue when it prevents you from interacting with others, including friends and family members.


How to Overcome Shyness

Children who are not confident may benefit from psychotherapy. They’ll be taught interpersonal skills and how to recognize their shy behavior.

Adults, on the other hand, usually can deal with their shyness on their own. Here are several techniques you can use in everyday social settings to help you overcome your shyness.

Plan for it

Spending more time thinking about what you should do to make the situation better is one way to alleviate it.

You may also formulate an escape plan for yourself. This will help you gain a higher sense of control during certain situations.

Be a curious person

Another way to deal with the crippling feeling is to try to divert your attention away from yourself in a social environment. Instead, concentrate on being observant of others.

Be curious about who the people are. This gives you something new to focus your attention on. It can also help to keep the conversations going.

Remember that people like talking about themselves. Moreover, finding others fascinating can be one way to be the most entertaining person in the room.

Pick up a role

Choose a role in which you can make people feel important or appreciated. Many socially awkward people are highly successful individuals such as physicians, attorneys, and entrepreneurs. 

Regardless of how confident they are at work, they can lose their confidence in circumstances where their career path does not describe their position.

Because of the reasons mentioned above, picking up a role provides you with a purpose and guidance on how you should act in certain social situations. 

Be easy on yourself

Shy people are often hard on themselves. Additionally, their internal thoughts may tell them things they will never say to other people. 

The problem here is that when you judge yourself negatively, you are likely to believe that others will do the same to you.

This subconscious mind may cause emotional harm. It strips away your peace of mind and confidence. The only way to overcome your inner critic is to have a more powerful inner voice that serves as your supportive best buddy.

Whenever it tries to tell you that no one will ever accept you, remind yourself that what matters most is you accepting yourself. 

Learn to speak to yourself in a friendlier and gentler tone. This way, social interactions will no longer be as difficult for you as they were previously.

Every social situation should be a place where you put yourself in and try out the methods above. The more you practice, the better you can get at socializing, even with new people.


Overcoming Shyness with Help

You can also look for other resources to help you in dealing with the issue. There many tutorials and videos that tell you how to overcome shyness and social anxiety. 

Some books can also guide you in tackling it. One of them is “How to Talk to Anyone About Anything: Improve Your Social Skills, Master Small Talk, Connect Effortlessly, and Make Real Friends  by James W. Williams.

How to talk to anyone about anything james w. williams

This book is a wonderful short guide that will help you interact with yourself. It includes the fundamentals of having good and proper conversations and the art of selecting the right conversation topics. 

This book will also help you answer the question, “is it bad to be a shy person,” with amusing stories and easy-to-follow facts.


Conclusion

Is it bad to be a shy person? Well, we must say the answer is often yes. After all, it isn’t good if your quiet trait limits your ability to engage in social activities.

Shyness ranges a lot in terms of intensity. Some people might experience slight pain that can be quickly resolved. Others, however, can experience intense fear in social settings, which can be crippling.

Remember, the answer to “is it bad to be a shy person” will often be “yes.” However, it would be best if you did not let it discourage you from reaching your goals. If you suffer from extreme shyness and social anxiety, see your doctor for a referral to a mental health provider.

Did you enjoy this article? Feel free to let us know in the comments below. Do you know someone who can benefit from this article? Share this with them and let them know how they can overcome their shyness!

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