A simple shift that made my social anxiety way less intense

One of the biggest changes for my social anxiety came from stopping the “performing” mindset and focusing on shared interests instead. When I look for something small we both like—music, hobbies, shows, pets—it takes the pressure off instantly. I don’t feel like I’m being judged, I’m just talking about something real. Once I’m calmer, I can actually pick up on values too—kindness, curiosity, honesty—which makes the whole interaction feel more natural. That’s also what helped me make jokes without panicking about whether they land. If they do, great. If not, nothing actually happens. I’ve been using these same ideas in some hypnosis audios and worksheets I made for myself to get better at flowing in conversations without overthinking. Not sure if links are allowed here, but I can DM it if anyone wants it.