How to Get Over the Fear of Being Seen
Things You Can Do to Overcome Self-Doubt and Show Your True Self
If you have a desire to make a difference in other people’s lives, you need to get over the fear of being seen.
Anyone who affects lives or facilitates change has learned to deal with everything that comes with being a leader.
What is the Fear of Being Seen?
The fear of being seen is the unease a person has with being the centre of attention or in a leadership role.
It is usually a mental block a person has because they imagine negative consequences as a result of their experiences.
Most times, people equate being seen with being exposed for their imperfections and insecurities.
Why are People Afraid to Be Seen?
The reasons why people are afraid to be seen include:
- They will not be accepted for who they are.
- They believe something is wrong with them, or they are not good enough.
- They think they will be judged, ridiculed, or criticised for their mistakes.
- They don’t want attention on them.
- They believe it’s safer to not reveal their true selves.
The Cost of the Fear of Being Seen
If you have a fear of being seen, the costs include:
- You will not develop genuine relationships.
- You will not challenge yourself, which means you will not grow.
- You will not allow people to see the “real” you, which means you will pretend to be someone you are not to fit in with others.
- You will keep things bottled up, which can affect your motivation or outlook on life.
- You will not communicate well, which will affect what you achieve.
Not allowing yourself to be seen can affect your self-esteem and cause you to suffer, which can also affect your mental health.
5 Things You Can Do to Get Over the Fear of Being Seen
Getting over the fear of being seen starts with self-belief and self-confidence. Here are five things you can do to get over the fear of being seen, so you can overcome self-doubt and show your true self in any situation.
- Check in with yourself regularly. Self-reflection is a valuable skill to develop. Whenever you are scared to say something or stand up for yourself, notice what is coming up. Acknowledge your fear and focus on the outcome you want.
- Change your self-talk. If you fear being seen, it usually means you are imagining a negative outcome or saying harsh words to yourself. You can challenge your self-talk. Ask yourself, “What am I imagining and what is the worst that can happen?”
- Feed your mind with inspiration and encouragement. The fears you have are made up and have become beliefs. This means you can replace them with new beliefs. Reading, watching or listening to stories of people who have overcome challenges will help boost your self-confidence.
- Take gradual steps to show your true self. Get comfortable with your insecurities or weaknesses. Accept other people have them too. Steps you can take to be more visible include attending networking, educational, or social events. Have conversations with people from diverse backgrounds or with unique experiences.
- Find support and accountability. If not being seen is affecting you, it means you are not getting the outcomes you want. You can ask for help from a mentor or coach, who can also create a plan to deal with your fear. If the reward is greater than the risk of being seen, it is worth challenging yourself.
Why is Being Seen Important?
When you get over the fear of being seen, you will:
- Form authentic relationships.
- Achieve what you want easier, without unneeded angst.
- Have more self-respect.
- Take bigger risks, which means you will aim higher in life.
- Develop more of your potential.
Final Thoughts
Going through life not showing your true self or holding yourself back will not give you what you want. If you know you have more to give and can make a bigger difference, it’s time to show yourself and share your gifts with the world.
When you get over the fear of being seen, you will also give others permission to do the same, which will have a ripple effect in the world.
Action Step: Reflect on the last time you stopped yourself from saying something or putting yourself out in front of others. Capture what your self-talk was and what made you stop. Use those insights to mentally prepare yourself to respond differently next time you are in a similar situation.
Question: What are other things you can do to get over the fear of being seen?
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