Social Anxiety: Keleidoscope Method to Overcome It

See, I think of Kaleidoscope to instantly visualize a fun way to look at people and learn to appreciate them. When you meet someone new, mentally “turn the kaleidoscope” – what new pattern emerges? What unexpected colors show up when you shift the angle of your curiosity? “Kaleidoscope Program” captures something wonderful about human connection – the idea that when we shift our perspective and look for the multifaceted beauty in people, we transform both our relationships and ourselves.

Of course, there are good people and difficult people beyond grey zones.

Once you choose to be with generally good people, then comes the worry for those with social anxiety if they are judging you. And you may be simultaneously judging them. As we all know, anybody who is hypercritical of themselves are equally critical of others. So, if you open your heart and see the beauty of all aspects of people, it will give a fantastic chance to reap the strengths and learn cool things about that person. A lukewarm yet good person could be amazing if you try to dig into what they are good at, how they think and what their strengths are! There are gem-like qualities in people. No one is alike, and everyone is unique. That is the fun part. It is like picking apples and cherries knowing interesting things about people.

I vote for taking interest in others, leaning in and being curious. If you put people too quickly in the bad basket without whetting some potentially great people, you will miss out on getting to know them. You miss out on networking. It is almost narcissistic to be wrapped up about yourself in being liked or not liked by “the other.”

A person may be on the spectrum, or frozen as they too are anxious, or preoccupied at times. A shop assistant may be rude as he or she is not as refined or educated in following etiquette. Personalizing it takes away the power and inner confidence that is your right to own. The key is to not think they are all or none- like the best friend type. Just approach like math. You can calculate the impact. Yes, we want kind people around us, but if we keep on sizing up people or how they are treating you, you never can ahead and take control of your life and become successful. Don’t be put off by any triggers from your past. I would want to think curiosity as the antidote to anxiety. When we’re genuinely interested in understanding someone’s unique strengths and perspectives, it naturally shifts us away from self-focused worry about being judged and ruminating if they truly know your worth. It’s like the difference between looking in a mirror versus looking through a window – one keeps us trapped in self-consciousness, the other opens up a whole world of discovery.

There are variety of people, place them around you with the orbits- at distance you are comfortable with, inner circle, a bit outer, a lot outer, or a lot inner. Discarding people with minor discomfort means- you may be missing out on some connection that is potentially good for you. This could be your immediate boss, or annoying co-worker or a friend’s friend. Not everyone needs to be in your inner circle, but that doesn’t mean they should be dismissed entirely. This gives people permission to have varied levels of connection without the pressure of all-or-nothing thinking that often paralyzes those with social anxiety.

End of the day, participate in life, take yourself lightly, put effort diving into social relationships. There are introverts and extroverts, but most people I know want to be connected and be included! It is key to reframe social interaction from a performance (where we might “fail”) to an exploration (where we can only learn and grow). That shift alone can be liberating for someone who’s been held back by social anxiety.

If someone is supercilious, it could be your projection and a perceived superiority or their insecurity. Regardless, don’t buy into it. When we recognize our fundamental equality as humans, it becomes easier to approach others with genuine warmth rather than fear or defensiveness.

We are all equal, we have the right to be on earth as equals, and no one is that important to be put on pedestal. You don’t have to give others too much importance at the cost of undermining your prowess, your agency. Be gentle, enjoy people, try to understand them and love life.