Staring paranoia. The social anxiety delusion that everyone is watching, judging, scrutinizing your every move. For years, I felt like I was constantly under surveillance, the center of unwanted attention, every social interaction a performance under intense scrutiny. Then, one moment, I realized…no one was staring. Or if they were, I didn’t care.
I was at a crowded event, feeling acutely self-conscious, convinced everyone was judging my awkwardness. Then, I consciously shifted my focus outward, observing others instead of obsessing about being observed. And I realized…most people were preoccupied with their own lives, their own conversations, their own anxieties. No one was staring. Or if they were, they were probably just as self-conscious as I was. Staring paranoia moment wasn’t about suddenly becoming invisible, but about shifting perspective and realizing that most people are far less focused on you than you imagine. Staring paranoia lessened, replaced by a more realistic, less self-centered view of social interaction. Stop worrying about who’s staring. Most people are too busy worrying about themselves.