Does Social Anxiety Change Last? A Real 4-Year Follow-Up
Social Anxiety Solutions - your journey to social confidence!Show Notes
Four years ago, I interviewed Tapani after he had already made significant progress with his social anxiety. His lifelong blushing had reduced dramatically. Life was opening up in ways that once felt impossible. Recently, he shared in our community that the last time he felt more than a little anxious was months ago. His anxiety barely bothers him anymore. And he described learning not just how to deal with social anxiety, but how to approach life differently. That made me curious. So we recorded this follow-up conversation to explore what actually holds up over time. What does long-term change from social anxiety really feel like? Not dramatic confidence. Not becoming a different personality. Not turning into the most charismatic person in the room. Instead: • Anxiety dropping from an 8 or 9 to mild physical tension • Blushing no longer dominating daily life • Social situations feeling ordinary again • Strangers no longer registering as threats • Relief that continues to deepen quietly If you've ever wondered: "Does this actually last?" "What if I improve… and then it fades?" "Is this realistic for someone like me?" This episode is for you. We talk about: • Fear of blushing and reputation anxiety • Anticipatory anxiety and how it changes • Why pushing anxiety away makes it worse • Acceptance and nervous system regulation • Why progress compounds gradually • What "feeling normal" really means This isn't a story about instant transformation. It's an honest look at how social anxiety can loosen its grip over time, and what life feels like when your system gradually updates instead of being forced. If you're considering whether this path might fit you, you'll find more details here. Take your time. Move when it feels right.
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Can't stop replaying an awkward or embarrassing conversation in your head? Maybe you keep thinking about what you said, cringing at how you came across, or worrying about what the other person thinks of you. In this episode, I'll guide you through a 10-minute tapping exercise to help you work with the anxiety, embarrassment, and self-judgment that can stick around after a difficult social situation. You don't need any tapping experience. Simply follow along, tap where I tap, and repeat the words out loud. Before we start, you'll bring the situation to mind and notice how uncomfortable it feels. At the end, you'll check in again and see what, if anything, has shifted. You might feel a little calmer, lighter, less caught up in what happened, or see the situation from a different perspective. And if nothing shifts, that's okay too. This is one short exercise, not a promise to resolve everything in 10 minutes. Want to go further? Fast Social Anxiety Relief (FSAR) is my step-by-step program combining psychology with tapping, with 50+ guided tap-alongs to help you work with social anxiety before, during, and after social situations: https://www.social-anxiety-solutions.com/fast-social-anxiety-relief/ Want to learn how to overcome social anxiety without having to force yourself to face your fears for free?
Have you ever wondered what life actually looks like after overcoming social anxiety? Many people don't want to become the most outgoing person in the room. They simply want to enjoy a coffee with a friend, stop worrying about being judged, or feel comfortable being themselves around other people. In this episode, you'll hear three former clients share what happened after they overcame years of severe social anxiety. You'll hear how they went from: • Hiding in bathrooms during social events • Constantly worrying about what other people thought • Feeling trapped by fear and self-consciousness …to building lives they never thought possible. Not because they forced themselves to become different people. But because they gradually learned to feel safe being themselves around others. If you've ever wondered whether overcoming social anxiety is really possible (or what becomes possible afterwards), this episode is for you. Free Social Confidence Blueprint: https://www.social-anxiety-solutions.com/social-confidence-blueprint/ Looking for personalized help? Learn more about private coaching: https://www.social-anxiety-solutions.com/social-anxiety-coach-v2/
In this episode...
What if the reason your anxiety keeps coming back isn't because you're thinking the "wrong thoughts"? In this episode, Sebastiaan sits down with psychologist Steve Wells to talk about Intention Tapping, a variation of EFT tapping that has deeply influenced how Seb helps people with social anxiety. They explore why social anxiety often can't be "out-thought," why emotional attachment matters more than thoughts alone, and how tapping may help reduce the nervous system's perception of threat. You'll hear why anxiety can become linked to everyday social situations, why resisting anxiety often makes it stronger, and how Intention Tapping can help release the emotional charge underneath social anxiety symptoms. In this conversation, they cover: • Why logic alone often doesn't stop social anxiety • The difference between CBT and tapping • Why anxiety is not just a thought problem • How emotional attachment keeps anxiety active • Why social anxiety is often a protective response • How tapping can help calm the nervous system • Why small shifts matter more than people think • How tapping can support gentle real-life progress • What to do when tapping "doesn't work" right away • How setbacks can become breakthroughs They also discuss fear of judgment, blushing, physical anxiety symptoms, performance anxiety, upcoming social events, public speaking, podcasting, salsa dancing, and why forcing yourself to face your fears is not always the most effective path. If you've tried changing your thoughts, affirmations, mindset work, or pushing yourself through social situations but still get triggered, this episode will give you a different way to understand social anxiety and what may help it shift. Learn more from Steve Wells: https://intentiontapping.com https://eftdownunder.com Get Sebastiaan's free training: Overcome Social Anxiety Without Having To Force Yourself To Face Your Fears https://bit.ly/socialconfidencenow