1. Social anxiety – fears about how our actions might impact us socially
2. Self-perception – fears about our limitations and weaknesses

Over the years, there’ve been many things that I’ve not done because I fear social disapproval. For example, the fear of rejection has often held me back from asking girls out. Social anxiety is the fear that actions perceived negatively by others will affect my social standing in some way.

We evolved to be afraid of social approval. Understanding that was really important for me. It enabled me to question my social anxiety.

When I notice this anxiety acting up, I can stop and ask myself: Is this evolutionarily designed fear still useful in my modern-day life? Is there any utility in continuing to live this way?