2008 Woodie Awards
Ask Annie
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: Opinion
Dear Annie,
I'm typically a very outgoing goofy guy. I have lots of friends and seem to attract lots of people with my goofy, friendly personality, but not the ones I'm interested in. When it comes to someone I'm really attracted to, I become self-conscious, forget to be myself and even turn bright red. What can I do?
Signed,
Mush Mouth
Dear "Mush Mouth,"
I think your situation is one we can all relate to. At one time or another I'm sure we've all stumbled over our words or forgotten to say anything at all when around someone we like. We can be confident, witty and super cool when surrounded by guys and girls who don't really matter to us, but put us within a one mile radius of someone who makes our heart beat faster and we turn into a dull lump of self-consciousness and insecurity.
If you've ever been in a situation like this you've probably wondered (while cursing your bad luck) why this is happening to you - and more importantly what can be done to avoid such a situation in the future. Well, not to worry my suddenly self-conscious friends I've got the answers.
Blame it on Mother Nature. Although you might feel a little silly when your face, neck and ears turn the color of overly ripe tomatoes, your words get stuck in your throat, and your typically bubbly personality melts to a dull fizz, the truth is you're not alone. In fact, the majority of us, to some degree, lose our cool when the object of our affection is nearby. It's to be expected, when the pressure's on, our body reacts differently than when we're at ease. The brain doesn't always have absolute control over the body, the adrenaline rushes in...And the sweat, unfortunately, comes pouring out.
How then can you control what you feel you have no control over? Well, the answer's not to put on an extra coat of deodorant (although that couldn't hurt.) Instead, investigate ways to let your mind take over when your body is failing you. Depending on the severity of your problem, you may benefit from something as simple as deep-breathing techniques to calm you, or starting off your day with mediation, during which you can focus on remaining calm, cool, and collected in all situations, (especially one's where you are close to a bunch of 'hotties.') But that's just for the physical. It's the emotional aspect of what's going on when you're standing next to the guy or girl of your dreams that's the hardest part to tackle.
I'm typically a very outgoing goofy guy. I have lots of friends and seem to attract lots of people with my goofy, friendly personality, but not the ones I'm interested in. When it comes to someone I'm really attracted to, I become self-conscious, forget to be myself and even turn bright red. What can I do?
Signed,
Mush Mouth
Dear "Mush Mouth,"
I think your situation is one we can all relate to. At one time or another I'm sure we've all stumbled over our words or forgotten to say anything at all when around someone we like. We can be confident, witty and super cool when surrounded by guys and girls who don't really matter to us, but put us within a one mile radius of someone who makes our heart beat faster and we turn into a dull lump of self-consciousness and insecurity.
If you've ever been in a situation like this you've probably wondered (while cursing your bad luck) why this is happening to you - and more importantly what can be done to avoid such a situation in the future. Well, not to worry my suddenly self-conscious friends I've got the answers.
Blame it on Mother Nature. Although you might feel a little silly when your face, neck and ears turn the color of overly ripe tomatoes, your words get stuck in your throat, and your typically bubbly personality melts to a dull fizz, the truth is you're not alone. In fact, the majority of us, to some degree, lose our cool when the object of our affection is nearby. It's to be expected, when the pressure's on, our body reacts differently than when we're at ease. The brain doesn't always have absolute control over the body, the adrenaline rushes in...And the sweat, unfortunately, comes pouring out.
How then can you control what you feel you have no control over? Well, the answer's not to put on an extra coat of deodorant (although that couldn't hurt.) Instead, investigate ways to let your mind take over when your body is failing you. Depending on the severity of your problem, you may benefit from something as simple as deep-breathing techniques to calm you, or starting off your day with mediation, during which you can focus on remaining calm, cool, and collected in all situations, (especially one's where you are close to a bunch of 'hotties.') But that's just for the physical. It's the emotional aspect of what's going on when you're standing next to the guy or girl of your dreams that's the hardest part to tackle.
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