Shyness Is NOT a Curse - Learn to Embrace Who You Are

Are you the shy person who likes to sit at the back of the classroom and never answer any questions?

Do you avoid going to parties for fear of speaking to people?

Do others judge you because you're a bit of a wallflower?

If you've answered "yes" to any of these questions, don't worry - you're not alone. There are hundreds of thousands of shy people around the world. If you're not shy, you probably know of someone who is.

But, what does it mean to be a little inhibited by this?

You might think that it's strange, abnormal or a curse. Some people make fun of it. Some of them simply don't understand it. Some people get annoyed by it. Some people hate themselves because of it.

There are even hundreds of websites devoted to curing this "illness" - as some would put it.

They refer to it as it being a handicap, or having a weakness.

And it's not.

It's actually something to celebrate and embrace, if you happen to have a shy personality.

In my first year of high school, I had the biggest crush on the shy boy in our class. He didn't speak to anyone on the first day and kept to himself. I immediately wanted to know all about him - because he wasn't like the rest of the boys.

Shy guys seem to fascinate a lot of girls, and women. They fall for them because they find this type of quality attractive.

If we look at shy girls for instance, it's normally not the same case. They often tend to come off as aloof, snobbish, or even downright rude.

Some people don't understand this.

They can't understand why someone will choose to be quiet, or not want to participate in a conversation. They might even try to coax them out of their shell by telling them to stop being so quiet, or to speak up.

Shyness can stem from genetics. It can develop at any stage during childhood, and can also be caused by personal experiences.

Most often it's a personality trait, or having a fear of what others will think. They fear rejection, negativity, criticism or ridicule and often prefer not to speak in order to avoid this.

It's definitely not a case of rudeness, trying to be better than everyone else, or being a snob.

I'm going to let you in on a little secret...

Do you know what that is?

Being shy is GREAT!

That's right. I said great.

It's NOT a curse or something to wish away.

If you think about it, shy people have the advantage.

They can become a little more outspoken if they ever wanted to. Outspoken people can't become shy.

1. They enjoy their own space. Shy people don't get bored often, they're able to amuse themselves and keep occupied without having to rely on other people to provide them with entertainment or conversation. They don't mind being alone.
2. They make good friends. Shy people are good listeners, they're understanding and they're empathetic. Excellent qualities for friendship.
3. They are cautious. Most shy people won't jump into a situation without thinking about it rationally and cautiously.
4. They are calm. Shy people tend to promote a feeling of calm among others, and this can be a very attractive quality, as well as promote positive feelings.
5. They are approachable. It might not be easy for them to approach others, but they won't be loud or obnoxious in social gatherings. They'll be the ones that are easy to talk to on a one-on-one basis.
6. They are believable. Shy people tend to be more trusted, believable and good. These are often seen as excellent qualities of leaders.
7. They are easy to confide in. A good career choice for shy people may be in therapy or counselling.
8. They can be more objective. They're able to stand back and look at things from an outsider's point of view, or watch things from the sidelines first.
9. They can be more determined. With more barriers to cross, they can become mentally stronger and more determined to succeed in life.
10. They are great people readers. Shy people observe more, and are able to pick up mannerisms characteristics and actions that others might not.

Yes, even famous people are shy!

Another reason why being shy shouldn't be seen as a curse, abnormality or handicap.

Famous Celebrities Who Are Shy

1. Glenn Close
2. Candice Bergen
3. Audrey Hepburn
4. Diane Keaten
5. Grace Kelly
6. Jessica Lange
7. Laura Linney
8. Michelle Pfeiffer
9. Meg Ryan
10. Ingrid Bergman
11. Clint Eastwood
12. Jack Lemmon
13. Tom Hanks
14. Steve Martin
15. Noah Wiley
16. Diane Sawyer
17. Jane Clayson
18. David Letterman
19. Johnny Carson
20. Barbara Walters

Being shy isn't a handicap or a curse. It's not something to hate about yourself or wish you didn't have.

Shyness has its advantages, you just need to figure out what yours is and learn how to use it to your advantage!