7. Social Anxiety & the Observer Self with Joanna Burbury

Here is a question for you. If you don’t like your personality, can you change it? Today is all about how we see ourselves…and fighting against parts of ourselves that seem… unchangeable. 

Maybe there are parts of your personality or ways in which you move around in the world that you’ve changed. But maybe there are also remnants of that way of being that have largely stayed the same. 

This part of you, the part that never changes, is what we will talk about today. Later in the episode my guest Joanna Burbury, a clinical psychologist in London, and I will chat about this concept—it’s called the observer self. We also discuss ways in which our struggles with social anxiety have shaped our young lives and how we no longer feel defined by these thoughts and labels but…that it is still a part of our current experience. 

As you listen, think about the ways in which you describe your own personality—whether it be introverted, extroverted or a combination of both. See how these labels have shaped your perception of yourself and your ways of moving around in the world. And then, perhaps you will discover that that part of you…it really is a context of your environment and a fluid ever-changing experience. 

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In this episode, I share about an upcoming focus group in which I work with individuals who have experienced the label of introvert. During this focus group I want to ask questions, learn more about the types of struggles you face in work and life, all to help us frame these experiences together and discuss ways in which you might receive support. This group is free and I plan to hold more than 1 in the future. The next focus group will take place on Saturday, February 6th from 7-8:30AM PST. If you are interested, please reach check out the group on my website or register here at Eventbrite. Hope to see you there!

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Our guest, Joanna Burbury, is a clinical psychologist in London where she uses ACT to help people create meaningful and fulfilling lives! Reach out to her at https://linktr.ee/joannaburbury or follow here @the.act.psychologist on Instagram!