How to Be Yourself

scientifically based, zero-judgment approach

had unwavering faith in me, even in those moments when I questioned the validity of this whole undertaking.

sleep better, improve energy, sharpen cognitive functioning,

I’ve been blown away by the research on the mental health benefits of exercise. Study after study finds that exercise improves depression, PTSD, ADHD, panic—pretty much any challenge you can name.

the anxiety and self-criticism don’t control me like they used to. Even when it happens, it’s much more properly proportioned than it used to be.

I still have my moments. I get intimidated by authority figures and starstruck by people I admire—I end up acting deferential or reticent, but I’m working on it. I’m still not genuinely comfortable public speaking, but I can fake it—

A rising tide really does lift all boats.

people with social anxiety are often terrific students and employees—we’re often kind and conscientious. We’re hard workers with high standards. In the workplace, we’re often star performers. It’s a double-sided coin—we have a tendency to put our heads down and get the work done, which is good for productivity, but at the same time, we need to reme

Introversion, as you well know, should be embraced as the normal personality trait that it is. Our lives would suffer if we tried to change who we are on such a fundamental level. Social anxiety, on the other hand, can indeed be challenged, and our lives improve as we grow and stretch and change.