Shyness affects lifestyle choices in all kinds of ways, from the career path you choose to whether you get married and have children or not. Shyness can sometimes seem to restrict the choices you have in life because you lack the confidence to do anything that puts you in a position where you could be judged negatively. There are individuals who are able to overcome their shyness, but for most people it is an ongoing struggle to live the life they want when they feel extremely anxious in the company of other people.

Humans are social creatures, which is why shyness is so difficult to deal with. Part of you wants to be ‘normal’ and to fit in with everyone else, but the anxiety you experience when you’re in social situations makes this very difficult to achieve. You either have to force yourself to speak to people and to get to know them and to allow them to get to know you, or you withdraw from society. There are certain paths you can take which will limit the amount of social contact you have, but this doesn’t always make you any happier.

Besides, it is very difficult to withdraw from society altogether. It can be a struggle to find a job that doesn’t require some kind of interaction with the public, although the Internet has made this easier. You may be able to find an online job which doesn’t even require you to leave the house, but the chances are you will still crave human company on occasion. If you work online all day, order your groceries over the Internet and spend all your free time watching television, you’re hardly likely to have a fulfilling life.

Talking to other people might make you feel awkward and self-conscious, but avoiding all human contact won’t make you feel much better. Instead of addressing the problem you only end up making it worse. Shyness affects people in different ways, though, and so while some are able to function, for others it can be debilitating. If you’re shy around new people and don’t like being around large groups, but can get along fine once you get to know people, it won’t be as much of a struggle to socialise as for someone who has panic attacks at the mere thought of leaving the house.

Shyness can shape the lifestyle choices you make in an often negative way, but if there are certain things you would like to achieve in life, you have to find a way to deal with it so that you can accomplish whatever it is you want to.