While you may be feeling self-conscious and anxious in social situations, the people around you may actually be enjoying your company and appreciating your presence. By recognizing this gap and shifting your focus away from negative self-talk, you can begin to feel more confident and comfortable in social situations.

So how can you put this concept into practice?

June is LGBTQIA Pride month, which exists, in large part, to advocate for a safe and supportive environment for people of all sexualities and gender expressions. If you are struggling with your own identity, I want to affirm that coming out as queer can be a daunting and overwhelming experience, and many people may feel scared or unsure about how to navigate this process.

Are there any conversations you aren't having because you're afraid of how your message will be received or you feel ashamed about what you want to say? Instead of sidestepping them, consider having those necessary conversations inside the container.