Do social situations make you feel anxious or like you’re not enough?
You’re not alone. For many people, low self-esteem doesn’t just affect how they see themselves—it impacts how they show up in social situations. You might find yourself worrying about what others think of you, feeling like you need to act a certain way to fit in, or feeling self-conscious about how you look or eat in front of others. This social anxiety can make it hard to feel comfortable, authentic, or confident around other people, especially if you are battling an eating disorder or social anxiety.
But here’s something important: true confidence starts with self-esteem. When you believe in your own worth, it becomes easier to engage in social situations without fear of judgment or rejection. Confidence isn’t about being perfect or fitting in—it’s about showing up as yourself, knowing that you are enough just as you are. This is particularly crucial for anyone struggling with an eating disorder, which often goes hand-in-hand with social anxiety.
How Low Self-Esteem Fuels Social Anxiety
Social anxiety is often rooted in low self-esteem. When you don’t feel good about yourself, it’s easy to project those feelings onto social situations, assuming others are judging or criticising you in the same way you judge yourself. You might feel like you have to hide parts of yourself, overthink what you say, or constantly seek approval from others. This becomes even more complicated if an eating disorder or social anxiety is involved.
Here’s how low self-esteem often shows up in social situations:
- Fear of judgment: You might worry that others are judging how you look, how much you eat, or what you say, leading you to feel self-conscious and anxious in social settings.
- People-pleasing: Low self-esteem often makes you feel like you need to meet others’ expectations to be liked or accepted, which can lead to people-pleasing behaviours and putting others’ needs above your own.
- Avoidance of social situations: Because social situations can trigger anxiety, you might find yourself avoiding them altogether, which only reinforces feelings of isolation and low self-worth.
But here’s the truth: social confidence doesn’t come from getting others’ approval—it comes from believing in your own worth, whether you’re with others or by yourself, and this is key to overcoming an eating disorder, especially when social anxiety might be present.
Building Social Confidence Through Self-Esteem
When you start to build healthy self-esteem, your social confidence naturally improves. You begin to realise that your value isn’t determined by how others see you, but by how you see yourself. This allows you to show up more authentically in social situations, without the constant fear of being judged or rejected. This is a significant step for those with an eating disorder or those struggling with social anxiety.
Here’s how building self-esteem helps improve social confidence:
- You stop seeking external validation: As your self-esteem grows, you rely less on others for validation and approval. Instead, you start to feel confident in your own worth, regardless of what others might think.
- You feel more comfortable being yourself: When you believe in your worth, it becomes easier to show up as your authentic self in social situations. You stop worrying about fitting in and start focusing on being present and true to who you are.
- You handle social challenges with more resilience: With stronger self-esteem, you’re better able to handle any awkward or challenging moments in social settings. You no longer see them as reflections of your worth but as normal parts of social interactions.
Developing Social Confidence in the “Own Your Worth” Workbook
In the “Own Your Worth” workbook, I guide you through the process of building social confidence by focusing on the root cause: your self-esteem. The goal is to help you feel more comfortable and confident in social situations by developing a stronger sense of your own worth, which is crucial if you are dealing with social anxiety.
Here’s what you’ll explore:
- Challenging social anxiety triggers: You’ll start by identifying the specific thoughts and fears that come up in social situations. This awareness helps you understand how low self-esteem might be influencing your social confidence, especially when dealing with social anxiety.
- Reframing social interactions: The workbook includes exercises designed to help you reframe social situations in a more balanced and compassionate way, reducing the pressure to be perfect or fit in.
- Practicing assertiveness: One of the key components of social confidence is being able to assert your needs and boundaries without fear of judgment. The workbook will guide you through exercises that help you practice assertiveness in social situations, building your confidence to express yourself authentically.
By the end of this section, you’ll have tools to help you feel more confident and comfortable in social situations, without relying on others for validation or approval.
Curious About How to Build Social Confidence?
What would it feel like to show up in social situations without worrying about what others think? To feel confident in your own worth, no matter who you’re with? Building social confidence starts with building self-esteem, and it’s a powerful way to feel more connected, authentic, and at ease in your interactions.
The “Own Your Worth” workbook is here to help you develop that confidence, guiding you through the process of strengthening your self-esteem so you can show up in social situations with less fear and more trust in yourself. If you’re ready to explore how self-esteem can boost your social confidence, the workbook is available now. And soon, the online course will offer even more tools to help you feel comfortable in social settings, especially if you struggle with social anxiety eating disorder.
Ready to Boost Your Social Confidence?
You deserve to feel confident in any setting. Order your copy of the “Own Your Worth” workbook today, and start building the social confidence that comes from believing in your own worth.
