Correct self-expression in social interactions is an important skill that not only helps us build positive interpersonal relationships but also promotes personal growth and development.
Social fear and social anxiety are issues many people face in their daily lives and work. However, by changing our views and approaches to socializing, we can overcome these barriers and achieve healthier and more positive social interactions.
1. Transforming Social Perspectives
Socializing should not be seen as a stage for self-performance, but as an opportunity to explore the possibilities of life. Everyone has unique life experiences and perspectives, which can serve as resources for mutual learning and growth.
Shifting the purpose of socializing from self-display to seeking and experiencing various possibilities in life can help us become more open and inclusive, making it easier to see and understand each person's unique value, and to find possibilities for promoting interpersonal development and achieving win-win relationships in interactions.
2. Facing Oneself Honestly
Honesty is key to self-expression; it is not only a personal quality but also the foundation for building harmonious interpersonal relationships and a harmonious society.
Honestly examining oneself, including strengths and weaknesses, is the starting point for personal growth and self-improvement. Understanding our true feelings and needs can help us better set goals and directions.
Accepting our imperfections and recognizing our dissatisfaction or aversion to certain things is the first step towards self-growth.
Expressing genuine emotions in social interactions, whether joy, sadness, or anger, is an important part of building sincere relationships. Hiding or disguising emotions can lead to misunderstandings and estrangement.
In socializing, we should respect our own feelings and thoughts, rather than blindly pursuing others' approval or praise at the expense of our principles. We should believe that harmony in diversity can lead to a better world.
This requires us to recognize the value of different cultures, religions, and lifestyles, appreciating the diversity and richness they bring to the world. Despite the differences among them, they all point to common goals of human society, such as the pursuit of happiness, health, and prosperity. These common goals can serve as bonds to unite people from different backgrounds. Through open dialogue, we can enhance understanding of different viewpoints, reduce prejudice and conflict, and promote social harmony.
3. Respect and Self-Respect
Respecting others is the foundation of socializing; respecting others' viewpoints and feelings helps build trust, which is the basis of any relationship. However, self-respect is equally important; only when we respect ourselves and our own viewpoints and feelings can we expect others to treat us in the same way.
We should not lower our standards or become objects for others due to a desire for acceptance and attention. Instead, we should participate in socializing as subjects, showcasing our true selves.
At the same time, self-respect means being able to set boundaries for ourselves, protecting ourselves from unfair treatment or infringement; recognizing our value and contributions, and not belittling ourselves based on others' opinions.
In summary, in social interactions, respecting others and self-respect are the dual driving forces for achieving healthy relationships and personal growth. By participating in socializing as subjects, we can showcase our true selves while maintaining our dignity and value. This balanced approach to socializing helps us build deeper connections and promotes harmonious development for individuals and society. By practicing these principles, we can create a more understanding and inclusive world while respecting differences.
4. Breaking the Illusion of Socializing
Confidence in socializing is not built on self-aggrandizement or ignoring reality, but on profound self-awareness, a growth mindset, and an understanding of reality.
By honestly facing ourselves and breaking the illusion of self-centeredness, we can communicate and interact with others more authentically and effectively. This confidence based on our true selves not only enhances our social skills but also fosters healthier and more harmonious interpersonal relationships and social environments.
Inevitably, we will face questioning and judgment in socializing. We can learn to accept and utilize constructive criticism to improve ourselves, rather than viewing it as a denial of our self-worth. Trying to see issues from others' perspectives helps us understand situations more comprehensively, reduces self-centered biases, and cultivates empathy, allowing us to understand others' feelings and needs, which aids in establishing deeper connections in socializing.
5. Dealing with the Paradox of Being Stared At
People often fear being judged while simultaneously yearning for attention. This paradox can be resolved by adjusting our expectations regarding the type of attention we seek.
Judgment often carries negativity, which can lead to self-doubt and unease. It may be based on others' subjective opinions but does not necessarily reflect the truth.
As social beings, people inherently crave attention and recognition from others, which is the source of belonging and self-worth. Shifting our expectations from being judged to being understood means we value others' positive evaluations of our inner qualities and behaviors more. When we make this shift in thinking, we should first offer our understanding to others and appreciate and praise the parts we recognize in ourselves.
By adjusting our expectations regarding the type of attention we seek, we can better navigate the paradox between judgment and attention in socializing. We can achieve this by cultivating self-awareness, confidence, gratitude, and positive social skills.
When we focus more on seeking and providing understanding, appreciation, and other positive energies, we can not only reduce the fear of judgment but also promote a healthier and more positive social environment. This transformation helps us build more authentic and meaningful interpersonal relationships, achieving mutual growth for individuals and society.
6. Practice and Reflection
In social practice, we should continuously try new ways of communication and reflect on which methods are effective and which need improvement. Through practice and reflection, we can recognize our habitual thinking and behavior patterns while consciously adjusting and changing those aspects that easily lead to interpersonal barriers, gradually finding a social style and expression that suits us.
Social interaction is a dynamic process that requires us to continuously learn, adapt, and grow. By transforming our perspectives, facing ourselves honestly, respecting others and ourselves, breaking illusions, and continuously reflecting and adjusting in practice, we can find the right way to express ourselves in socializing and achieve harmonious coexistence with others.